Final answer:
The process of removing details from a state representation is called abstraction, which is important in computer science to simplify complexity by focusing on general characteristics.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process of removing details from a given state representation is called abstraction. This is pivotal in various disciplines, including in the field of computer science where it helps in reducing complexity and allows a focus on more general characteristics rather than specific details.
In computer science and technology, abstraction involves hiding the complex reality while highlighting the essential features. This concept is different from extraction, which is more commonly associated with the process of deriving meaningful information from data, or refining in a chemical context such as in the extraction of metals during the smelting process. Abstraction is a step-by-step process where the unnecessary details are progressively removed to simplify the conceptual understanding or execution of processes.