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Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC) is a particular mathematical method that trades away complete accuracy of the inference for shorter computation. Use of Bayesian statistics can involve considerable computation, and methods that trade some accuracy for computation can be useful. ABC is useful both for exploring models (dedicating resources to a quick evaluation of a larger number of models) and for handling inferences due to otherwise-intractable models. ABC is one particular technique for carrying out such a "fast but imperfect" bayesian inference: it is not the only one but is perhaps a current favorite.