2.4.3 Abstraction

Imagine you're using a TV remote control. You press the "Volume Up" button, and the volume goes up. Do you need to know exactly how the electrical signals travel inside the remote, how they're sent to the TV, or how the TV's internal circuits adjust the sound? No! You just need to know that pressing the button makes the volume louder.

Abstraction is the third tool. It means focusing on the important details and ignoring the unnecessary ones. It's about simplifying a problem by hiding the complicated parts that you don't need to worry about right now.

How it works: When you use abstraction, you ask:

What are the most important pieces of information I need to solve this problem?
What details can I safely ignore for now?
Can I create a simpler model or idea of this problem?

Example: Back to "Plan a surprise birthday party." Using abstraction, you might:

When ordering the cake, you focus on the flavor, size, and design. You don't need to worry about the exact recipe the baker uses or where they get their flour. (You abstract away the baking process).
When inviting guests, you focus on who you want to invite and how to contact them. You don't need to worry about the exact postal route the mail carrier takes or the internet cables that carry your email. (You abstract away the delivery details).

Abstraction helps you manage complexity by breaking it down into layers and only dealing with the layer you need at a given moment.

Bibliography:

Computer Science Education Research Group (CSER): https://csermoocs.adelaide.edu.au/about-us
Code.org: https://code.org/