In software engineering and system design, coupling refers to the degree of connection and dependency between different modules or components. The strength of coupling directly affects the maintainability, scalability and flexibility of the system. Usually, coupling is divided into the following three types:
Tight Coupling: In this type of coupling, the dependencies between modules are very close, and changes in one module often lead to corresponding adjustments in other modules. Tight coupling reduces the maintainability and flexibility of the system.
Loose Coupling: In contrast to tight coupling, the dependencies between loosely coupled modules are weak, and the interfaces between modules are clear and simple. This design makes the system more flexible, easy to maintain and expand.
No Coupling: In theory, no coupling means that the modules are completely independent and there is no dependency. However, in actual systems, it is rare to have no coupling at all. Even so, pursuing low coupling between modules is still an important goal of software design.
Understanding and properly controlling the types of coupling is essential for building high-quality software systems.
