Modularisation
Modularisation is one of the most important concepts of software development. A module forms a self-contained component of a system, which becomes exchangeable due to well-defined internal and external interfaces. A module’s internal bindings and the couplings between modules define the structure of a system. The bindings are a qualitative measure of a module’s compactness. The relationships between a module’s elements are of significance, and these should be as distinctive as possible.
The modules in good architecture all possess very strong bindings. The modules’ couplings are a qualitative measure of the interfaces between them. Important characteristics are the coupling mechanism, the interface width, and the nature of the communication. Low coupling between modules enables each module to be developed and operated independently. Moreover, loosely connected modules are easier to exchange, simplifying maintenance and further development.