Objects
- An object is that which has the potential of stable, unconditional existence for some positive duration of time
- Can be physical (visible or tangible and stable in form) or informational (anything that can be apprehended intellectually)
- Objects have states (can be changed by processes)
- Example: system objects vs. element objects vs. attribute object
Abstraction
- Defined as: a) expression of quality apart from the object; b) having only the intrinsic nature rather than the form
- Abstraction can be used in both function and form
- Abstraction can be used to characterize and hide non-essential details, allowing simpler representation
- Example: “cup” can be an abstraction while “a red cup with MU logo” is an object