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Abstraction principle (computer programming)
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<p>In <a href="/facts/Software_engineering/KX6cE9kz">software engineering</a> and <a href="/facts/Programming_language_theory/MfecfTFI">programming language theory</a>, the abstraction principle (or the principle of abstraction) is a basic <a href="/facts/Dictum/fpkfYYkd">dictum</a> that aims to reduce duplication of information in a program (usually with emphasis on <a href="/facts/Code_duplication/adzaD7R2">code duplication</a>) whenever practical by making use of <a href="/facts/Abstraction_(computer_science)/hAnxmJle">abstractions</a> provided by the programming language or <a href="/facts/Software_libraries/xRzL3P7q">software libraries</a>. The principle is sometimes stated as a recommendation to the programmer, but sometimes stated as a requirement of the programming language, assuming it is self-understood why abstractions are desirable to use. The origins of the principle are uncertain; it has been reinvented a number of times, sometimes under a different name, with slight variations. </p><p>When read as recommendations to the programmer, the abstraction principle can be generalized as the "<a href="/facts/Don%27t_repeat_yourself/pUF8abIM">don't repeat yourself</a>" (DRY) principle, which recommends avoiding the duplication of information in general, and also avoiding the duplication of human effort involved in the software development process. </p>