(1) An object that contains specifications, such as priority, maximum processing time, and maximum storage, to control the run-time environment of a job. The system-recognized identifier for the object type is *CLS.
(2) In the Distributed Computing Environment (DCE), a category into which objects are placed based on their purpose and internal structure.
(3) In object-oriented design or programming, a model or template that can be used to create objects with a common definition and common properties, operations, and behavior. An object is an instance of a class.
(4) In C++, a user-defined data type. A class data type can contain both data representations (data members) and functions (member functions).
(5) In RACF, a collection of defined entities (users, groups, and resources) with similar characteristics.
(6) An attribute that is related to a transaction code and a message region that is used to determine scheduling. See also message class, region class.
(7) A description of a set of objects that share the same attributes, operations, methods, relationships, and semantics. A class may use a set of interfaces to specify collections of operations that it provides to its environment. See also interface, object.
(8) The definition of an object within a specific hierarchy. A class can have properties and methods and can serve as the target of an association.
(9) A section of a module. A class can represent program text, that is, the instructions and data that are loaded into virtual storage during execution. Other classes, such as an external symbol dictionary (ESD) and a relocation dictionary (RLD), are required for binding and loading the program.