You're exactly right. One simple example: Numpy for Python, Building from source: https://docs.scipy.org/doc/numpy-1.10.0/user/install.html https://docs.scipy

You're exactly right. One simple example: Numpy for Python, Building from source: https://docs.scipy.org/doc/numpy-1.10.0/user/install.html https://docs.scipy.org/doc/numpy-1.10.0/user/install.html "Various NumPy modules use FORTRAN 77 libraries, so you’ll also need a FORTRAN 77 compiler installed." It also nicely demonstrates how with the new levels of abstractions we preserve the "hows" but hide them from a lot of the users.