base class

In computer science, a superclass is a class from which other classes are derived. A superclass is also called a parent class. The classes that are derived from a superclass are known as child classes, derived classes, or subclasses. We can also say that a class A extends class B when A is a subclass of B.
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<programming> (Or "superclass") The class from which another class (a "subclass") inherits, the class it is based on.
"base class" is the term used in C++. The objects of the superclass are a superset of the objects of the subclass.
See inheritance.
(2004-01-31)