Liidesel

Liidesel is a term used in Estonian technology discourse to describe an interface-centric approach to system and software architecture. It refers to the design, management, and governance of interfaces between components, services, and devices, with a focus on interoperability, decoupling, and clear interaction contracts.

Etymology and usage: The word stems from liides, meaning interface, bond, or connection, with the adessive form liidesel indicating “on the interface” or “in the interface context.” In technical writing and industry discussions, liidesel is employed to frame practices and principles related to how components communicate and collaborate.

Concept and scope: Liidesel encompasses API-first design, contract testing, standardized data models, versioning, and thorough documentation. It emphasizes defining stable interaction points, adopting explicit interface specifications, and enabling independent deployment of modules. While rooted in software architecture, the concept also applies to hardware–software integration and other domains where modular components must connect reliably.

Applications: In software development, liidesel guides interface-driven development, the use of contract-based APIs, and automated testing to ensure compatibility across versions. In hardware and embedded systems, it covers the design of physical and middleware interfaces that enable seamless interconnection and data exchange between devices and systems.

History and context: The term gained prominence as organizations shifted toward modular architectures, microservices, and cross-domain integration in the 2010s and 2020s. It remains part of broader discussions on interoperability, standardization, and scalable system design within the Estonian tech landscape.

See also: Interfaces, API design, system integration, software architecture.