Understanding Modularity

Modularity is the process of managing system complexity by dividing large systems into smaller, self-contained systems. Basically, making things simple by focusing on just one component of a larger system at a time. Modularity involves identifying groups of functions in systems, and then transforming those groups into self-contained units or modules.

For example, the design of an aircraft may be divided up into many different components. These individual components are then analyzed to identify which components perform similar tasks. They are then grouped together as “subsystems” that can communicate with each other via well-defined interfaces.

The benefit of modularity is twofold. First, it makes code maintenance easier because you only have to maintain a small amount of code instead of the entire thing. Second, if you want to add new features or change existing ones, adding new functionality to existing subsystems will require less work than rewriting everything from scratch.

The Origin of Modularity

The concept of modularity was originally invented for programming languages (such as the C language), but over the years, it has become more widely used in areas such as computer science, software engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, manufacturing engineering, and business management. In fact, the term modularity itself was first coined by Warren McCulloch and Walter Pitts while they were creating the first artificial intelligence project ever – the neural network called “Pitts’s Watsons”. The original purpose of this project was to help them understand how brains worked by simulating their own nervous system using electronic circuits.

As the development of computing devices progressed, so did the concepts surrounding modularity. Software developers eventually realized that it would be much more efficient to split up large programs into smaller chunks called modules. This allowed programmers to focus on specific problems without having to worry about every detail of the program.

Modularity isn’t something that exists solely within computers. For instance, civil engineers use modularity when designing buildings, since constructing one structure is often cheaper than building multiple structures separately. Other examples include modular home designs where rooms are constructed independently of each other, allowing them to be moved around easily; and modular car engines, which allow easy replacement of parts without replacing the entire engine block.