What does the term 'abstraction' refer to in object-oriented programming?

The term 'abstraction' in object-oriented programming refers to the concept of hiding the complex reality while exposing only the necessary parts. This approach allows developers to manage complexity by defining a simplified interface for interacting with an object. Users of an object can then perform operations without needing to understand the intricate details of how those operations are carried out internally.

In practical terms, abstraction is achieved through abstract classes and interfaces, which enable programmers to define a set of methods that a class must implement, without specifying how those methods should be constructed. This not only fosters a clear separation between the interface and the implementation but also promotes code reusability and flexibility, as changes in the internal workings of an object won’t affect the users of that object, as long as the interface remains consistent.

This encapsulation of complexity is a core principle in object-oriented design that allows for cleaner, more manageable code. The other concepts mentioned, while relevant in their respective contexts, do not accurately capture the essence of abstraction as it is understood in the realm of object-oriented programming.