Abstraction

Abstraction

Filtering out irrelevant details to focus on the essential features of a problem or system.

Model

A simplified representation of a complex real-world process or system.

Information Hiding

The principle of concealing internal implementation details behind a clean public interface.

Encapsulation

Bundling data and the methods that operate on that data while restricting direct access to internal components.

Observe how unnecessary physical details are filtered out to create a software model of a bank account.

1. 1Identify Real-World Details: Physical banknotes, bank branch furniture, vault weight, and paper slips.
2. 2Discard Irrelevant Details: Software does not need to know the physical dimensions of the bank vault or the teller counter colour.
3. 3Retain Critical Data: Keep account number, account holder name, and current numeric balance.
4. 4Define Essential Actions: Implement deposit, withdraw, and transfer operations while hiding the internal ledger updates.

pythonclass Vehicle:
    def __init__(self, model):
        self.model = model
        self._speed = 0

    def accelerate(self):
        # The user does not need to manage fuel injection or piston timing
        self._speed += 10
        return f"{self.model} speed is now {self._speed} km/h"

car = Vehicle("Electric Hatchback")
print(car.accelerate())

The driver calls accelerate() without needing to control the complex underlying physics or engine simulation. The detail is abstracted away.