Final answer:
In object-oriented programming, a class is a blueprint that encapsulates attributes and methods that operate on those attributes, used to create objects. A superclass is the base from which subclasses inherit or extend functionality.
Step-by-step explanation:
A class is an encapsulation of attributes and methods that operate on those attributes. Encapsulation is a fundamental concept in object-oriented programming (OOP) that refers to the bundling of data with the methods that operate on these data. This concept is used to hide the internal state of an object from the outside world and to restrict access to the internal mechanism of the object. Classes serve as blueprints for creating objects. An object is an instance of a class, containing the properties and behaviors defined by the class. A superclass (or base class) is a general class from which subclasses (or derived classes) inherit attributes and methods. Subclasses can also override or extend the functionality of their superclass.