Tightly Coupled Code
Tightly coupled code is a software design anti-pattern where components or modules in a system have high dependencies on each other, making them difficult to modify, test, or reuse independently. This occurs when one component directly references the internal details of another, such as specific implementations, data structures, or methods, leading to a lack of separation of concerns. It often results in brittle systems that are prone to bugs and hard to maintain as changes in one part can cascade and break other parts.
Developers should understand tightly coupled code to recognize and avoid it in software design, as it undermines scalability, flexibility, and maintainability. It is particularly problematic in large or long-term projects where requirements evolve, and in team environments where independent work is needed. Learning this concept helps in applying better practices like loose coupling, which is essential for building robust, modular systems that are easier to debug and extend.