A model of the world that is used to formulate a computer solution to a problem. Paradigms provide a context in which to understand and solve a real-world problem. Because a paradigm is a model, it abstracts the details of the problem from the reality, and in doing so, makes the problem easier to solve. Like all abstractions, however, the model can be inaccurate because it only approximates the real world. See also Multiple Instruction Multiple Data, Single Instruction Multiple Data, Single Instruction Single Data, Single Program Multiple Data.