Definition: Object Class
An object class is a schema element that correlates an OID and a set of names with a set of required and/or optional attribute types.
The components of an object class definition include:
- An OID used to uniquely identify the object class.
- A set of zero or more names that can be used to more easily reference the object class.
- An optional superior class, which may define additional required and/or optional attribute types.
- An optional object class type value that indicate whether the object class is structural, auxiliary, or abstract.
- An optional set of one or more attribute type names or OIDs for attributes that must be present in entries containing the object class.
- An optional set of one or more attribute type names or OIDs for attributes that may optionally be present in entries containing the object class.
Every entry must have exactly one structural object class, and it may have zero or more auxiliary classes. The complete set of object classes in an entry define the set of attribute types that are required or allowed to be present. The structural class may also be used to link the entry with a name form, DIT content rule, and/or DIT Structure Rule.
The set of object classes defined in the server may be determined by retrieving the objectClasses attribute of the subschema subentry. For more information about object classes, see the Understanding Object Classes document.
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