abstractielaag

Abstractielaag is the Dutch term for an abstraction layer in computing: a software layer that exposes a simplified interface to a more complex subsystem, hiding implementation details from higher-level components.

Derived from abstractie and laag; in Dutch IT usage it's used interchangeably with the English phrase "abstraction layer" and is a design principle rather than a concrete module.

Its main function is decoupling: it allows changes in the underlying system without affecting callers. It improves modularity, portability, testing, and reusability by providing stable interfaces.

Common examples include a hardware abstraction layer in operating systems, a data access layer in applications, and API or service abstraction layers in distributed systems. In cloud and virtualization, abstraction layers manage resources and provide consistent interfaces.

The concept has roots in modular programming and is widely discussed in software architecture literature. It is foundational to multi-tier architectures and API-driven design.

Excessive layering can introduce overhead, latency, and complexity; practitioners warn against unnecessary layers and aim for a balanced, purposeful architecture.

See also Abstraction, Abstraction layer, Hardware abstraction layer, API, Middleware, Software architecture.