On the Criteria to Be Used in Decomposing Systems into Modules
Communications of the ACM, 15 (12):
1053--1058 (December 1972)Abstract
This paper discusses modularization as a mechanism for improving the
flexibility and comprehensibility of a system while allowing the
shortening of its development time. The effectiveness of a
``modularization'' is dependent upon the criteria used in dividing the
system into modules. A system design problem presented and both a
conventional and unconventional decomposition are described. It is
shown that the unconventional decompositions have distinct advantages
for the goals outlined. The criteria used in arriving at the
decompositions are discussed. The unconventional decomposition, if
implemented with the conventional assumption that a module consists of
one or more subroutines, will be less efficient in most cases. An
alternative approach to implementation which does not this effect is
sketched.
