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New Mexico Computer Science For All. Abstraction in Modeling and Simulation Maureen Psaila-Dombrowski. Abstraction. Abstraction is Simplification Why? “Real world” problems are too complicated Must simply in order to model
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New Mexico Computer Science For All Abstraction in Modeling and Simulation Maureen Psaila-Dombrowski
Abstraction • Abstraction is Simplification • Why? • “Real world” problems are too complicated • Must simply in order to model • Ignoring some details or parts so that you can focus on what is important to you at that time. • As your interests change the amount of abstraction you need can change too.
Assumptions • Abstraction involves assumptions (things that you take to be true). • Before abstraction • During abstraction • After abstraction during model development • Assumptions are what the modeler assumes when moving from the real world problem to a model. • Sometimes a simplification • Sometimes a specification • Assumptions need to be carefully considered • Affect the outcome of the model • Should be validated
Applying Abstraction:Modeling Rabbit’s Ecosystem There are many things that affect Rabbit populations: • Nonliving • Water • Soil • Weather • Disasters • Pollution • Living • Rabbit Characteristics • Birth • Death • Metabolism • Infection • People • Plants • Other animals • Microscopic
Applying Abstraction:Modeling Rabbit’s Ecosystem There are many things that affect Rabbit populations: • Nonliving • Water • Soil • Weather • Disasters • Pollution • Living • Rabbit Characteristics • Birth • Death • Metabolism • Infection • People • Plants • Other animals • Microscopic
Applying Abstraction:Modeling Rabbit’s Ecosystem There are many things that affect Rabbit populations: • Nonliving • Water • Soil • Weather • Disasters • Pollution • Living • Rabbit Characteristics • Birth • Death • Metabolism • Infection • People • Plants (+ regrowing) • Other animals • Microscopic
Applying Abstraction:Modeling Rabbit’s Ecosystem There are many things that affect Rabbit populations: • Nonliving • Water • Soil • Weather • Disasters • Pollution • Living • Rabbit Characteristics • Birth • Birth rate • Death • Metabolism • Infection • People • Plants (+ regrowing) • Caloric value or energy • Other animals • Birth rate • Microscopic
Summary • Abstraction is required for modeling • Can vary the amount of abstraction as needed • Abstraction involves assumption. • Assumptions can affect the outcome of the model