C++ Abstraction

C++ Abstraction

Abstraction is one of the most powerful and vital features provided by object-oriented C++ programming language. Modularity is very important in any programming language, it provides flexibility to users for using the programming language. This aspect is well achieved with high performance by the concept of abstraction in C++. In object-oriented programming language the programmer can abstract both data and code when needed.

What is Abstraction

The concept of abstraction relates to the idea of hiding data that are not needed for presentation. The main idea behind data abstraction is to give a clear separation between properties of data type and the associated implementation details. This separation is achieved in order that the properties of the abstract data type are visible to the user interface and the implementation details are hidden. Thus, abstraction forms the basic platform for the creation of user-defined data types called objects. Data abstraction is the process of refining data to its essential form. An Abstract Data Type is defined as a data type that is defined in terms of the operations that it supports and not in terms of its structure or implementation.

In object-oriented programming language C++, it is possible to create and provide an interface that accesses only certain elements of data types. The programmer can decide which user to give or grant access to and hide the other details. This concept is called data hiding which is similar in concept to data abstraction.

How Types of Abstraction Differs:

There are two broad types of abstraction; functional abstraction and data abstraction. The main difference between functional abstraction and data abstraction is that functional abstraction refers to a function that can be used without taking into account how the function is implemented. Data abstraction refers to the data that can be used without taking into account how the data are stored. There is also a difference in the way the access takes place in functional abstraction and data abstraction. In functional abstraction, access to the function is provided through a specific interface defined to invoke the function. In contrast, in data abstraction, access to the data is provided through a specific set of operations defined to examine and manipulate the data. For instance, when a programmer is using C++ standard data types, this means that users are using the concept of data abstraction. When using data types, the users are not concerned with how the data is stored but they are concerned with what operations are provided and what properties are supported.

Reasons for the need of Abstraction

Flexibility in approach:
By hiding data or abstracting details that are not needed for presentation, the programmer achieves greater flexibility in approach.

Enhanced Security:
Abstraction gives access to data or details that are needed by users and hide the implementation details, giving enhanced security to application.

Easier Replacement:
With the concept of abstraction in object-oriented programming language, it is possible to replace code without recompilation. This makes the process easier and saves time for users.

Modular Approach:
In object-oriented programming language C++, the abstraction concept helps users to divide the project application into modules and test each of them separately. Then all modules are integrated and ultimately tested together. This approach makes the application development easier.

There are various ways of achieving abstraction in object-oriented programming language C++. One approach is to take modular based code that is broken apart into smaller segments, known as functions. This functional or modular approach helps the code to be reused again and again when needed. For example, a programmer might write a function for computing an average and another programmer might write a function for computing salary. These functions can be reused when needed, by anyone. The modular based approach helps to centralize all data of a similar type, under the control of a type module. Defining module types allow the module to be an abstract data type. In many other programming languages, there is a small drawback associated with the approach to accessing module type.

In C++, this problem is resolved through the concept of friend functions. Friend functions resolve the problem by associating with one of the classes or some of its members as friends of the other class.

The concept of abstraction brings forth another related term known as encapsulation. Encapsulation is the process of combining or packaging data with functions and thereby allowing users to create a new data type. This new data type is termed abstract data type. Though the new data type is similar to that of built-in data type, it is termed abstract data type because it enables users to abstract a concept from the problem space into the solution space. Apart from the above, all the features that hold for built-in types also hold for abstract data types. Type checking process that are performed for built-in types are also achieved in the same way and level for abstract data types.