Balancing Coupling in Software Design

<p>Series Editor Foreword xv<br>Foreword by Rebecca Wirfs-Brock xix<br>Foreword by Kent Beck xxi<br>Preface xxiii<br>Acknowledgments xxix<br>About the Author xxxi</p> <p><strong>Introduction 1</strong></p> <p><strong>Part I: Coupling 3</strong></p> <p><strong>Chapter 1: Coupling and System Design 5</strong><br>What Is Coupling? 5<br>Magnitude of Coupling 6<br>Flow of Knowledge 10<br>Systems 10<br>Key Takeaways 16<br>Quiz 17</p> <p><strong>Chapter 2: Coupling and Complexity: Cynefin 19</strong><br>What Is Complexity? 19<br>Cynefin 20<br>Comparing Cynefin Domains 26<br>Cynefin in Software Design 27<br>Cynefin Applications 31<br>Cynefin and Complexity 32<br>Key Takeaways 32<br>Quiz 33</p> <p><strong>Chapter 3: Coupling and Complexity: Interactions 35</strong><br>Nature of Complexity 35<br>Complexity and System Design 36<br>Hierarchical Complexity 39<br>Degrees of Freedom 43<br>Complexity and Constraints 46<br>Coupling and Complex Interactions 47<br>Example: Connecting Coupling and Complexity 48<br>Key Takeaways 54<br>Quiz 54</p> <p><strong>Chapter 4: Coupling and Modularity 57</strong><br>Modularity 57<br>Modules 59<br>Modularity in Software Systems 62<br>Modularity, Complexity, and Coupling 68<br>Coupling in Modularity 73<br>Key Takeaways 74<br>Quiz 74</p> <p><strong>Part II: Dimensions 77</strong></p> <p><strong>Chapter 5: Structured Design's Module Coupling 79</strong><br>Structured Design 80<br>Module Coupling 80<br>Comparison of Module Coupling Levels 94<br>Key Takeaways 95<br>Quiz 96</p> <p><strong>Chapter 6: Connascence 97</strong><br>What Is Connascence? 97<br>Static Connascence 98<br>Dynamic Connascence 104<br>Evaluating Connascence 110<br>Key Takeaways 113<br>Quiz 114</p> <p><strong>Chapter 7: Integration Strength 117</strong><br>Strength of Coupling 118<br>Integration Strength 121<br>Intrusive Coupling 122<br>Functional Coupling 125<br>Model Coupling 128<br>Contract Coupling 134<br>Integration Strength Discussion 143<br>Integration Strength and Asynchronous Execution 146<br>Key Takeaways 147<br>Quiz 148</p> <p><strong>Chapter 8: Distance 151</strong><br>Distance and Encapsulation Boundaries 151<br>Additional Factors Affecting Distance 157<br>Distance Versus Proximity 160<br>Distance Versus Integration Strength 161<br>Key Takeaways 161<br>Quiz 162</p> <p><strong>Chapter 9: Volatility 165</strong><br>Changes and Coupling 165<br>Why Software Changes 166<br>Evaluating Rates of Changes 169<br>Volatility and Integration Strength 175<br>Inferred Volatility 177<br>Key Takeaways 178<br>Quiz 179</p> <p><strong>Part III: Balance 181</strong></p> <p><strong>Chapter 10: Balancing Coupling 183</strong><br>Combining the Dimensions of Coupling 184<br>Combining Strength, Distance, and Volatility 189<br>Balancing Coupling on a Numeric Scale 192<br>Key Takeaways 198<br>Quiz 199</p> <p><strong>Chapter 11: Rebalancing Coupling 201</strong><br>Resilient Design 201<br>Software Change Vectors 202<br>Rebalancing Coupling 205<br>Key Takeaways 213<br>Quiz 213</p> <p><strong>Chapter 12: Fractal Geometry of Software Design 215</strong><br>Growth 215<br>Innovation 223<br>Fractal Geometry 228<br>Fractal Modularity 230<br>Key Takeaways 230<br>Quiz 231</p> <p><strong>Chapter 13: Balanced Coupling in Practice 233</strong><br>Microservices 233<br>Architectural Patterns 239<br>Business Objects 245<br>Methods 251<br>Key Takeaways 256<br>Quiz 256</p> <p><strong>Chapter 14: Conclusion 257</strong></p> <p><strong>Epilogue 261</strong></p> <p><strong>Appendix A: The Ballad of Coupling 263</strong></p> <p><strong>Appendix B: Glossary of Coupling 265</strong></p> <p><strong>Appendix C: Answers to Quiz Questions 271</strong></p> <p>Bibliography 275<br>Index 279</p>