underabstraction

Underabstraction is a term used in computer science and software engineering to describe the phenomenon where a software system provides too many low-level details, making it difficult to understand and modify. This is the opposite of abstraction, where a system is designed to hide low-level details and focus on high-level functionality.

Underabstraction often occurs when a software system is designed with a narrow focus on implementation details, leading to a tightly coupled codebase that is difficult to modify or extend. This can result in a system that is rigid and inflexible, making it challenging to adapt to changing requirements or add new features.

The consequences of underabstraction can be severe, including increased maintenance costs, reduced code reuse, and decreased productivity. Underabstraction can also lead to a lack of modularization, making it harder to separate different components of the system and reducing the overall flexibility of the system.

There are several contributing factors to underabstraction, including:

* Overemphasis on performance or efficiency

* Poor design choices, such as using tightly coupled classes or procedures

* Inadequate use of modularity and separation of concerns

* Incomplete or inaccurate documentation

To avoid underabstraction, software developers should strive to design systems that are modular, adaptable, and easy to understand. This can be achieved by using high-level abstractions, separating concerns, and focusing on modularity.

The best practices for mitigating underabstraction include:

* Using modular and loose-coupled design patterns

* Developing software that is composable and extensible

* Focusing on high-level interfaces and APIs

* Improving documentation and code readability

* Using test-driven development to ensure code quality and modularity.