Thinking Abstractly

Question 1

What is Abstraction

Answer 1

The process of removing excessive details to arrive at a representation of a problem that consists of only the key features

Question 2

What are the Different Types of Abstraction

Answer 2

• Representational Abstraction - analysing what is relevant to a given scenario and simplifying a problem based on this information
• Abstraction by Generalisation - involves grouping together similarities within a problem to identify what kind of problem it is
• Data/Proecdural abstraction - details about how data is being stored are hidden. As a result, programmers can make use of abstract data structures such as stacks and queues without concerning themselves with how these structures are implemented

Question 3

Describe the need for abstraction

Answer 3

• Non - Experts - allows non-experts to make use of a range of systems by hiding information that is too complex or irrelevant to the system’s purpose
• Key Elememts - more efficient for designing as programmers can focus on key elements rather than worrying about unnecessary details
• Time and Effort - reduces the time needed to be spent on the project, prevents the program from getting unnecessarily large

Question 4

Describe how Layers of Abstraction are used in Programming Languages

Answer 4

• Programming languages can be written in high and low-level languages
• Low-level languages are more difficult to write since it requires having an understanding of the functions specific binary codes perform
• High-level languages provide an abstraction for the machine code meaking it easier to write
• This has also made coding accessible to non-specialists

Question 5

Describe how the TCP/IP Layer uses Abstraction

Answer 5

• The TCP/IP model is an abstraction for how networks function
• It is separated into four layer and each layer deals with a different part of the communication process, and separating these stages out makes them simpler to understand
• Each layer does not need to know how other layers work
• However, it is also important to ensure compatibility between these layers so standards must be agreed in advance

Question 6

Describe how Object-Oriented Programming is an example of Abstraction

Answer 6

• OOP uses objects, which are also an abstraction for real-world entities
• Attributes are an abstraction for the characteristics of an object
• Methods are an abstraction for the actions a real-world object is able to perform