Flat Dependency Structure
Flat dependency structure is a software design principle where dependencies are organized in a shallow, non-nested hierarchy to minimize complexity and improve maintainability. It involves avoiding deep dependency chains, where one module depends on another that in turn depends on others, creating a tangled web of relationships. This approach promotes modularity, reduces coupling, and makes it easier to understand, test, and update codebases.
Developers should adopt flat dependency structures in large-scale projects or systems where maintainability and scalability are critical, such as in microservices architectures or enterprise applications. It helps prevent issues like dependency hell, where changes in one module cascade unpredictably through the system, and facilitates faster debugging and deployment. This is particularly useful in agile environments or when using package managers like npm or pip, where managing nested dependencies can become cumbersome.