Tightly Coupled Architecture
Tightly coupled architecture is a software design approach where components or modules are highly interdependent, with direct and rigid connections between them. Changes in one component often require modifications in others, leading to reduced flexibility and maintainability. This contrasts with loosely coupled systems, where components interact through well-defined interfaces with minimal dependencies.
Developers should understand tightly coupled architecture to recognize its pitfalls, such as difficulty in scaling, testing, and updating systems, which is crucial for refactoring legacy code or designing new systems to avoid these issues. It is often encountered in monolithic applications or early-stage prototypes where rapid development prioritizes immediate functionality over long-term maintainability. Learning this concept helps in transitioning to more modular designs like microservices or service-oriented architectures.