modulmodul

Modulmodul is a fictional software framework used here to illustrate principles of modular design. The term depicts a system built from self-contained units, or modules, that interact through explicit interfaces. This article describes the basic concepts behind modulmodul and how such a framework might function in practice.

Etymology: The name combines 'module' with repetition to emphasize composability and reuse. It is not associated with any real project, and the description below is intended as an explanatory example.

Concept: A modulmodul system treats software as a collection of modules. Each module encapsulates state and behavior and exposes a Modul Interface (MI). Modules declare their dependencies in a manifest, and a central Loader resolves these dependencies from a Registry, loading modules into isolated execution contexts as needed.

Architecture: Key components include the Module, the Modul Interface, the Loader, and the Registry. Modules communicate only through MIs, enabling isolation. The Registry stores module metadata, versions, and available interfaces. The Loader performs dependency resolution, loading, and lifecycle management, while a Sandbox or virtual environment provides runtime isolation to prevent interference between modules.

Lifecycle and features: Modulmodul supports versioned interfaces, hot-swapping of modules, and mitigation of transitive dependency conflicts through semantic versioning. It detects circular dependencies, verifies compatibility during upgrades, and offers packaging formats for distribution and deployment.

Use cases: The fictional framework serves as a teaching model for modular architecture, plugin ecosystems, and multi-tenant applications. Limitations include the absence of real-world tooling or ecosystem guarantees, and the need for careful interface design to maintain stability across upgrades.

See also: modular programming, plugin architecture, dependency management, semantic versioning.