modulano

Modulano is a hypothetical architecture and programming concept that envisions building software as a collection of small, loosely coupled modules with explicit interfaces. A modulano system centers on a module graph and a runtime loader that resolves dependencies, instantiates modules, and manages their lifecycles. Modules declare interfaces, capabilities, and dependencies, while the runtime ensures correct composition, isolation, and version compatibility.

Core concepts in modulano include module descriptors, versioned interfaces, a module registry, and a loader that can assemble an application from modules. Modules communicate through well-defined boundaries, enabling dynamic loading, unloading, and replacement at runtime. Isolation and sandboxing are often emphasized to limit access to host resources, while a capability-based model governs what a module may request from others or from the system.

Lifecycle and usage commonly involve design-time module definitions, runtime resolution of a dependency graph, and deployment as modular bundles. Advanced modulano environments support hot swapping, where a module can be updated without restarting the entire application, subject to compatibility checks and safe restart policies. Tooling typically covers graph analysis, version resolution, and security auditing to prevent conflicts and ensure stable composition.

Origins and reception of modulano are largely in speculative discussions and early experiments in modular software design. The term draws on ideas from modular programming, plugin architectures, and microkernel-inspired isolation, but there is no single standard language or runtime. Several experimental projects and academic demonstrations explore modulano-inspired designs as a way to improve maintainability, testability, and reusability in complex software systems.

See also: modular programming, plugin architecture, dynamic loading, component-based software engineering.