What process is referred to as abstraction in programming?

Abstraction in programming is the process of removing unnecessary details to focus on the essential characteristics of a concept or system. This allows programmers to handle complexity by enabling them to focus on what an object or function does rather than how it does it.

For example, when using a particular function in programming, a programmer typically doesn't need to understand the intricate implementation details of that function; they only need to know how to call it and what output to expect based on given inputs. This simplifies the development process and fosters the use of existing functionalities without redundancy.

By employing abstraction, developers can work with high-level programming languages or frameworks that manage lower-level processes, thereby improving both efficiency and productivity in software development.