High- and low-level

Terms used to differentiate between abstract and concrete concepts in certain topics

High level and low level, as technical terms, are used to classify, describe and point to specific goals of a systematic operation; and are applied in a wide range of contexts, such as, for instance, in domains as widely varied as computer science and business administration. High level describe those operations that are more abstract and general in nature; wherein the overall goals and systemic features are typically more concerned with the wider, macro system as a whole. Low level describes more specific individual components of a systematic operation, focusing on the details of rudimentary micro functions rather than macro, complex processes. Low level classification is typically more concerned with individual components within the system and how they operate.

In computer science, software is typically divided into two types: high level end user applications software (such as word processors, databases, video games, etc. ), and low level systems software (such as operating systems, hardware drivers, etc.). As such, high level applications typically rely on low level applications to function. In terms of programming, a high level programming language is one which has a relatively high level of abstraction, and manipulates conceptual functions in a structured manner. A low level programming language is one like assembly language that contains commands closer to processor instructions. In formal methods, a high level formal specification can be related to a low level executable implementation (e. g., formally by mathematical proof using formal verification techniques). In sociology and social anthropology, high level descriptions would be terms like economy and political structure, and low level descriptions would be individual peoples' motivations and work. In neuroscience, low level would relate to the functioning of a cell (or part of a cell, or molecule) and high level to the overall function or activity of a neural system. In documentation, a high level document contains the executive summary, the low level documents the technical specifications. In business, corporate strategy is a high level description, a list of who does what jobs is a low level description.

Climate is a high level description of the actions of the atmosphere and oceans. Physics of water and gas molecules is a low level description of the same system. The instruction "write a creative poem on love" is a high level instruction. The instruction "tighten the tendons in the dominant wrist to grip the pen" is a low level description of an activity within that. "Wikipedia is an encyclopedia" is a high level description compared to "Wikipedia is a collection of textual articles on many topics". The former reflects a higher level view of organization, purpose, concept and structure, but does not explain what Wikipedia physically is. The latter is more detailed as to what exactly Wikipedia contains and how it's made up, but doesn't explain what its overall purpose and goals are. These are typical features of high level and low level descriptions, respectively. As a more general matter, encyclopedias, such as Wikipedia, can be considered a more high level source of information on a particular topic than one might find in, for example, a trade magazine or a scientific journal.