Abstraction

This is a basic concept in computer science

In software engineering and computer science, abstraction is a technique for arranging complexity of computer systems. It works by establishing a level of complexity on which a person interacts with the system, suppressing the more complex details below the current level.

Identifying examples of abstraction

Anytime you see a simple interface covering a more complex system, you should think "abstraction".

• A car is a very complex machine but the interface is simple (a steering wheel, a gas pedal and a gear shift)
• A video game controller only has a few buttons, but underneath the controller is complex control mechanism
• A programming language can be fairly simple, but it translates the instructions you write into machine code, which is impossibly complex

Explain why abstraction is required

You must decide at what level should I abstract a problem and solution. Abstraction is required because life is complex. We need to simplify complex systems so people can understand and use them.

For example, a student is building a software program to help students pick the right college. The student uses SAT scores to determine a good match. The student has abstracted complexity when it comes to choosing a college. There are actually many factors in choosing a college, but the student has chosen to focus on SAT scores.

Construct an abstraction

I want to launch a missile, loaded with 10,000 liters of peanut butter, at my friend because it would be funny. There are hundreds of important variables associated with launching, flying, and hitting a target in this example. Please think for a moment how we could construct an abstraction.

We could create a giant red button with the words "launch peanut butter missile at friend" which would launch the missile. However once this button was pushed a VERY COMPLEX process would begin to launch the missile. In this example, the button is an abstraction of a missile launch.

Distinguish between a real-world entity and its abstraction

Please refer to the missile example above.

Standards

These standards are used from the IB Computer Science Subject Guide

• Identify examples of abstraction
• Explain why abstraction is required in the derivation of computational solutions for a specified situation
• Construct an abstraction from a specified situation
• Distinguish between a real-world entity and its abstraction

Give a detailed account including reasons or causes.

Obtain the only possible answer.

Develop information in a diagrammatic or logical form.

Develop information in a diagrammatic or logical form.

Make clear the differences between two or more concepts or items.

Provide an answer from a number of possibilities. Recognize and state briefly a distinguishing fact or feature.