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Abstractions

LanguageComplexity
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AbstractionsLeak
FredBrooks
There are three kinds of abstractions in programming:

• DataAbstraction
• FunctionalAbstraction?
• SyntacticAbstraction

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Use abstractions to move complexity to where it is more easily dealt with. But remember complexity is conserved by abstractions; and abstractions leak. [1]

The complexity of software is an essential property, not an accidental one. Hence, descriptions of a software entity that abstract away its complexity often abstract away its essence. [2]

PaulGraham

• http://www.paulgraham.com/progbot.html --Programming bottom-up
  GrowingALanguage towards the problem. Abstracting away complexities in the language. see DomainSpecificLanguages.
  
  
• http://www.paulgraham.com/langdes.html --Five Questions about LanguageDesign.
  
• SuccinctnessIsPower

complexity is unnecessary until proven required [3]

• All Abstractions Are Failed Abstractions

Encapsulation and Abstraction

Encapsulation is hiding the details of the implementation of an object so that there are no dependancies on the particular implementation.

Abstraction is removing some distinctions between objects, so as to showing their commonalities.[4]

Abstraction is achieved through encapsulation..Abstraction solves the problem in the design side while encapsulation is theimplementation.[5]

Doing encapsulation right is a commitment not just to abstraction of state, but to eliminate state oriented metaphors from programming. AlanKay

• Encapsulation is not information hiding