2.1.1 Thinking Abstractly

Question 1

Abstraction

Answer 1

• removing unnecessary details and complexities and only including the relevant details to create a representation of reality. [1]

Question 2

How and why is abstraction used

Answer 2

• it removes unnecessary details [1]
• focusing on main purpose of the program/ does not detract from the main purpose of the program [1]
• so reduces computational resources required and saves time [1]

Question 3

Why is abstraction needed + benefits

Answer 3

• to simplify programming [1]
• to reduce memory and processing requirements of the program [1]
• reduces development time as factors that can detract from the program can be ignored [1]
• reduces the complexity of programming code so the program requires less computational power so therefore can run on lower spec devices [1]

Question 4

EXAMPLES of abstraction : in simulations

Answer 4

• scenery may be simplified or removed
• buildings may be simplified
• simplified controls (car simulation/awroplane etc)
• symbols used to represent real life features
• simplified/removed weather

Question 5

EXAMPLES of abstraction : in games

Answer 5

• characters can be replaced as stickmen
• places on the board are replaced with shape + name

Question 6

EXAMPLES of abstraction : in diagrams

Answer 6

• {things} have been removed/simplified with symbols
• diagram is not to scale
• anything that is not included in the diagram but is there in real life - be CREATIVE IT COULD BE ANYTHING

Question 7

Abstractions cons

Answer 7

• too much abstraction can cause models to become much less accurate/ too simplistic (which may make games less engaging if too simple)

Question 8

Explain why it is necessary for developers to use abstraction (in simulations) ?

Answer 8

• a real ____ contains unnecessary details and complexities irrelevant to the simulation
• which would require unnecessary programming and extra computational resources
• which could detract from the main purpose of the program