Modern Developer’s Design Patterns Series

What is an Abstraction?

A definition of “Abstraction” in a dictionary is:

The process of formulating Generalized Ideas or
Concepts by Extracting
Common Qualities from Specific Examples

A definition of “Abstraction” put in the Computer Science paradigm is:

An Abstraction is the process by which
Data and Programs are defined with a Representation
similar in form to its meaning, its semantics,
while Hiding the Implementation Details

The Key Concepts from the Two Definitions:

1. Abstractions are Conceptual Representations of something Real, a Concrete thing

2. Abstractions represent Data, a State Class Object, or a Program, a Behavior Class Object

3. Both Data and Programs concretes are Things, nouns

4. Abstractions support the Object Oriented Programming Pillar: Encapsulation through Data Hiding

Abstractions allow developers to design and develop to Common Conceptual Representations of Concrete Implementations without have to understand the Details of the Concrete Implementation

Abstractions are Software Solutions that

…. Loosely Couple Modules

…… From the Dependencies it Requires

Designing to Abstractions supports a lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of a deployed solution by creating an environment friendly to Business Change Requests over the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).

Designing to the “What” of a Requirement

Understanding “What” you want to accomplish before you decide “How” to do something seems logical.

Too often the pressures of Management to “Just Get Coding” preëmpt logic.

Many managers and above have the mistaken belief that they are only getting their moneys worth from developers if they are writing code.

This Ready, Fire, Aim Directive is Illogical

… But Often Reality in Most Projects

There has very rarely, if ever, been a building in the United States built without a detailed set of plans that define the “What” long before a single construction task is performed.

Somehow Software Projects missed that “Memo” as more that 80% of all Business Driven Technology Solutions are started with little or no planning documentation.

Many Businesses try to get a Dollars Worth of Work

… For Sixty Cents

…… And Ultimately Pay Five Dollars for their Efforts

Good Design and Planning upfront
using the Concepts of Abstractions
will cost the Client less Money and Time to Develop
and Far Less Time and Money to Maintain in the Future

Abstractions At Work

Code Examples of Designing to Abstractions

Wisdom Pearl # 113 – Understanding Success

Have a Crystal Clear Understanding of Your Destination

… Or You Might Drive Right By It