What is a subclass also commonly known as?

A subclass is commonly known as a child class because it represents a more specialized version of a class defined in object-oriented programming. When a subclass inherits from a parent class (or super class), it gains access to the properties and methods of that parent class while also having the ability to override or add additional functionality. This hierarchical relationship allows for code reuse and better organization of behaviors in a program, with the child class being tailored to specific needs that diverge from the broader definitions provided by the parent class.

While terms like super class, parent class, and base class refer to the original or higher-level class from which the subclass derives, they do not accurately describe the subclass itself. Instead, they define the class that serves as a model from which the child class is created, highlighting the direction of inheritance rather than the role of the subclass itself.