Java Application Architecture

For the full description, implementation variations, consequences, and detailed sample, see Page 139 in Java Application Architecture.

Statement

Module behavior should serve a singular purpose.

Description

There are two key elements that affect module cohesion. These follow:

• The rate at which the software entities within a module change.
• The likelihood that the software entities within a module are reused together.

Based on these statements, it’s easy to draw the following conclusion:

• Classes which change at different rates belong in separate modules.
• Classes that change at the same rate belong in the same module.
• Classes not reused together belong in separate modules.
• Classes reused together belong in the same module.

Unforunately, while logical, these general statements do not always apply.