The nature of abstraction.
2.1.1 Thinking abstractly
Thinking abstractly — Note 1 of 4
Candidates need to understand the term abstraction and its purpose in the design and creation of computer programs.
Abstraction means removing unnecessary detail from a problem so that you can focus on the parts that matter. It is one of the most important ideas in computer science, used when designing programs, data structures and whole systems.
The process of removing unnecessary details and including only the relevant details needed to solve a problem.
Representing something real by a simpler model that keeps only the important features, e.g. a map of the Underground that shows stations and connections but not distances.
Grouping things by their common characteristics, e.g. treating cars, buses and lorries as 'vehicles'.
Using a subroutine knowing WHAT it does, without needing to know HOW it does it.
Using a data structure (e.g. a stack) through its operations without knowing how it is stored.