I think those terms are related— first entries for those terms in Oxford Languages: method: "a particular form of procedure for accomplishing or approaching so

I think those terms are related— first entries for those terms in Oxford Languages: method: "a particular form of procedure for accomplishing or approaching something, especially a systematic or established one." class: "a set or category of things having some property or attribute in common and differentiated from others by kind, type, or quality." I agree that virtual is a little shakier, but: "almost or nearly as described, but not completely or according to strict definition."