An abstract class is a rule (an instance of the Rule-Obj-Class class) created to support the definition of rules, including other classes. Such rules can be inherited by subclasses of the abstract class. Rules with a class as a key part (such as properties, activities, flows, models, and so on) can apply to an abstract class.

In the Class Explorer display, a shape identifies an abstract class.

A class that is not abstract is concrete. Unlike abstract classes, concrete classes can have instances stored in the database. A selection on the Class rule form determines whether a new class is abstract or concrete.

An abstract class can be a child — a subclass — of a higher abstract class.

A dash or minus character (-) as the last character in the class name indicates an abstract class. For example, the Work-Cover- class is an abstract class, while Work-Cover-General is a concrete class.

	base class, class, concrete class, directed inheritance, ultimate base class
	About Class rules

Definitions — A