concept#Architecture#Software Engineering#Patterns#Software Design

Loose Coupling

Loose coupling refers to an architectural principle that promotes the independence of system components.

Loose coupling is a key principle in software development that allows flexible interactions between components.

Maturity

Established

Cognitive loadMedium

Classification

ComplexityMedium
Impact areaTechnical
Decision typeArchitectural
Organizational maturityAdvanced

Technical context

Integrations

DatabasesThird-party APIsCloud Services

Principles & goals

Principles

Separation of ConcernsFlexibility through Loose CouplingReusability of Components

Value stream stage

Iterate

Organizational level

Enterprise, Domain, Team

Use cases & scenarios

Use cases

Scenarios

Compromises

Risks

Difficulty in identifying errors
Complexity in integration
Excessive dependencies between components

Best practices

Define clear interfaces
Conduct regular code reviews
Use automation tools

I/O & resources

Inputs

Architecture Documentations
Technical Requirements
User Requirements

Outputs

Clearly Defined Interfaces
Modularized Software Components
Integrated Systems

Resources

Description

Loose coupling is a key principle in software development that allows flexible interactions between components. By clearly separating responsibilities, maintainability is improved and the impact of changes is minimized. This leads to more robust and adaptable systems.

✔Benefits

Increased flexibility in development
Improved maintainability
Reduced impact of changes

✖Limitations

Requires careful planning
Can introduce excessive complexity
Potential performance loss due to abstractions

Trade-offs

Metrics

Response Time
Time taken to respond to requests.
Error Rate
Percentage of failed transactions.
Throughput
Number of successfully processed requests per unit of time.

Examples & implementations

Microservices Architecture

A collection of modules that are developed and deployed independently.

RESTful API

A standard approach for building web services with loosely coupled components.

Event-Driven Architecture

An architecture based on events that utilizes loosely coupled components.

Implementation steps

Assess the existing architecture

Plan the new modules

Integration and testing

⚠️ Technical debt & bottlenecks

Technical debt

Outdated software libraries
Insufficient tests for critical components
Poor documentation

Known bottlenecks

Complex debuggingManaging dependenciesChallenges in performance optimization

Misuse examples

Misuse of dependencies
Excessive use of resources
Complex implementations without necessity

Typical traps

Neglecting modularity
Overcomplicating the architecture
Lack of understanding of component interaction

Required skills

Knowledge in Software ArchitectureExperience with APIsSkills in Test Automation

Architectural drivers

Use of MicroservicesNeed for integration of diverse systemsRequirements for flexibility and adaptability

Constraints

• Limitations of existing systems
• Resource capacities
• Technological constraints