abstraction
1. Generalisation; ignoring or hiding details to capture some
kind of commonality between different instances. Examples are
{abstract data types} (the representation details are hidden),
{abstract syntax} (the details of the {concrete syntax} are
ignored), {abstract interpretation} (details are ignored to
analyse specific properties).
2.
Parameterisation, making something a function of something else. Examples are {lambda abstractions} (making
a term into a function of some variable), {higher-order
function}s (parameters are functions), {bracket abstraction}
(making a term into a function of a variable).
Opposite of {concretisation}.
(1998-06-04)