4.4.1 Abstraction & Automation

What problem solving?

The process of finding a solution to a difficult or complex

What is an algorithm?

A sequence of steps that can be followed to complete a task

→ Always terminates

What is pseudocode?

A way of describing instructions that is independent of any particular programming language

→ Allows translation into multiple different language

What is abstraction?

Omitting unnecessary details to simplify a problem

What is representation abstraction?

A representation of a problem by removing unnecessary details

What is abstraction by generalisation?

A grouping by common characteristics to arrive at a hierarchical relationship

What is information hiding?

Process of hiding all details of an object that do not contribute to its essential characteristics

What is procedural abstraction?

Breaking down a complex model into a series of reusable procedures

→ Actual values are abstracted away to create a method

What is functional abstraction?

Disregarding the method of a procedure to create a function

What is data abstraction?

Removing details about how data is actually represented

What is problem abstraction / reduction?

Removing details from a problem until it is represented in a way that is solvable

What is decomposition?

Dividing a problem into a series of smaller problems that can be solved individually until all parts of the original problem have been solved

What is composition?

Combining procedures to form a larger system

What is automation?

Process of putting abstractions of real world phenomena (models) into action to solve probems

How is automation achieved?

- Creating algorithms which are later implemented in code

- Implementing models in data structures

- Executing the code on the data structures