Modularity
Description
Modularity refers to the structural design principle where the architecture is decomposed into distinct, self-contained modules, each responsible for a specific function and capable of being developed, deployed or replaced independently.
In the context of Simpl-Open, modularity enables a clean separation of concerns across the platform. It ensures that components (e.g. connectors, processing engines, governance modules) can be assembled like building blocks, tailored to the participant’s needs. Unlike composability, which focuses on functional integration, modularity is concerned with technical isolation and maintainability.
Modularity supports:
- Independent lifecycle management of components.
- Technology heterogeneity, allowing components to be implemented in different languages or frameworks.
- Targeted deployments, where only necessary modules are activated, optimising resource use.
Risks:
- Excessive fragmentation may lead to architectural complexity if interfaces between modules are not clearly defined.
- Weak versioning and unclear boundaries between modules can reintroduce tight coupling.
- Maintenance overhead increases when module dependencies are poorly documented or managed.
| Non-Functional Requirement | Issue ID: SIMPL-11048 | Status: Proposed |
Detailed Non-Functional Requirements
Versioned APIs and backward compatibility
Simpl-Open shall provide versioned APIs to ensure backward compatibility ...Modular and extensible components
Simpl-Open shall adopt a modular architecture that enables independent ...