What is the process of breaking a complex problem into smaller, manageable problems called?

The process of breaking a complex problem into smaller, manageable problems is referred to as decomposition. This technique helps to simplify the problem-solving process by allowing individuals to focus on smaller, more specific tasks instead of trying to tackle everything at once. By breaking a larger issue down into its constituent parts, it becomes easier to develop solutions for each individual component, which can then be combined to solve the original problem.

Decomposition is a key concept in computer science as it enables programmers to work on individual sections of code or algorithms separately, making the overall task less daunting and promoting better organization and clarity in the final solution. This method also facilitates collaboration, as different team members can take on different parts of the project concurrently.

The other concepts, while related, do not specifically refer to the process of breaking a problem into smaller parts. Abstraction involves simplifying complex reality by modeling classes based on essential properties and behaviors, algorithmic thinking refers to the ability to define a clear sequence of steps to solve a problem, and aggregation usually pertains to collecting and combining data or objects rather than breaking down a problem.