A class is like a skeleton for a Directory object. A Directory object is a class that has been instantiated with data. In other words:
CLASS + DATA = DIRECTORY OBJECT
Network supervisors select a class as a starting point in defining a Directory object. The class is like a request form for a specific type of Directory object. Once the class is selected, the supervisor, in a sense, completes the 'request form' in order to provide essential and specific information on the new Directory object.
The class has a class name, an inheritance class (unless it is at the top of the class hierarchy), class flags, and a group of attributes. Classes are named like Directory objects--User, Printer, Queue, Server--yet they are just structure, no content.
The inheritance class is a class that is used as a starting point. All of the attributes granted to the inheritance class are inherited by the classes that come below it in the class hierarchy.
Attributes are the data fields in a database. If a class is like a form, then the attribute would be one question blank on the form. When an attribute is created, it is named (such as 'surname' or 'employee number') and given a syntax type (such as 'string A-Z, 0-9' or 'number -999 to 999'). From then on, it is available in the attribute list.
There are 29 syntax options from which to choose (available through a drop down box provided), such as 'Case Exact String' and 'Alpha-numeric.' These are used to specify how you want data entered for each attribute. The syntax can only be specified when an attribute is created. You cannot modify it later.
Available syntaxes include;