What is the main purpose of abstraction in object-oriented design?

The main purpose of abstraction in object-oriented design is to hide complex implementation details while exposing only the essential features of an object. This allows developers to interact with objects at a higher level without needing to understand the intricate workings behind them. By focusing on what an object does rather than how it does it, abstraction simplifies interaction and enhances code maintainability.

With abstraction, users can work with interfaces or abstract classes that define expected behaviors while obscuring the underlying complexities. This is particularly useful in large software systems where the implementation may change over time; as long as the interface remains consistent, the overall system can function as intended without requiring changes to all interacting components. This makes it easier to manage large codebases and fosters a cleaner, more organized code structure.