modularity
Swappable parts design
Modularity is the quality of being composed of independent, interchangeable parts.
In engineering and software, modularity allows components to be swapped, upgraded, or repaired without affecting the whole system: The modularity of the design made repairs straightforward.
The concept extends to any field where breaking things into discrete units offers flexibility—modular furniture, modular curricula, modular synthesizers.
Quality of being swappable
- plug-and-playRequiring no manual configuration
- encapsulationSurrounding on all sides
- couplingJoint between systems
- decouplingRemoval of interdependence
interface · integration · decomposition · partitioning · hierarchy · layering · granularity · architecture
Modification to individual preference
- reconfigurabilityCapacity to be reshaped
- configurabilityExtent of customization options
- upgradabilityPotential for improvement
- retrofittingUpdating existing with new
expandability · scalability · flexibility · reusability · extensibility · hot-swapping · interoperability · compatibility
Whole without external parts
- standaloneComplete without attachments
- discreteIndividually separate, unconnected
- separatenessState of being apart
- detachabilityCapacity for disconnection
isolation · autonomy · compartmentalization · segregation · abstraction · bounded · self-sufficient · insulated
Building design discipline
- structureArrangement of interconnected parts
- organizationStructured group with purpose
- engineeringDesigning functional systems scientifically
- frameworkUnderlying support system
pattern · blueprint · specification · standardization · protocol · convention · object-oriented · microservices
interchangeability
Quality of being swappable
- plug-and-playRequiring no manual configuration
- encapsulationSurrounding on all sides
- couplingJoint between systems
decoupling · interface · integration · decomposition · partitioning · hierarchy · layering · granularity · architecture · subsystems
customization
Modification to individual preference
- reconfigurabilityCapacity to be reshaped
- configurabilityExtent of customization options
- upgradabilityPotential for improvement
retrofitting · expandability · scalability · flexibility · reusability · extensibility · hot-swapping · interoperability · compatibility · portability
self-contained
Whole without external parts
- standaloneComplete without attachments
- discreteIndividually separate, unconnected
- separatenessState of being apart
detachability · isolation · autonomy · compartmentalization · segregation · abstraction · bounded · self-sufficient · insulated
architecture
Building design discipline
- structureArrangement of interconnected parts
- organizationStructured group with purpose
- engineeringDesigning functional systems scientifically
framework · pattern · blueprint · specification · standardization · protocol · convention · object-oriented · microservices · API
- designdesign principles, functionality, emphasis, unity, graphic design
- design elementscolor, motif, shape, font choice, symmetry
- software developmentcoding, programming, bug, debug, debugging
- design principlescontrast, proportion, symmetry, balance, composition
- pattern traitsregularity, symmetry, repetition, uniformity, variation
- product designCAD, prototyping, design process, design iteration, specifications
modularityindivisibility
Cannot be divided
inseparability · wholeness · unity · integration · unification
modularityinterdependence
Reciprocal reliance between entities
interconnectedness · entanglement · spaghetti code · enmeshment · inextricability
modularityrigidity
State of being unbending
inflexibility · fixedness · bespoke design · immutability · permanence