nonstandalone

Nonstandalone is a descriptive term used to indicate that a system, component, or product cannot operate independently and requires other elements to function. It applies across software, hardware, and systems architectures, where dependencies can be external services, runtimes, host applications, or networked subsystems.

In software, nonstandalone components rely on additional layers to perform their duties. Examples include client applications that consume backend APIs, plugins that run inside a host program, or web services that depend on servers and databases. Such components are typically designed to integrate with an ecosystem rather than run in isolation.

In hardware and devices, nonstandalone often means that a device requires support from another device, service, or infrastructure. Examples include networked printers that need a computer or server to manage print jobs, or smart devices and hubs that depend on a cloud service or a control system to operate.

Implications of nonstandalone design include greater complexity in deployment, version management, and security, since components must remain compatible and coordinated. Maintenance often involves coordinating updates across multiple parts of the system, and failures can propagate through the dependencies.

Related terms include dependent, embedded, integrated, and cloud-based components. While nonstandalone emphasizes reliance on other parts of a larger system, it is often contrasted with standalone solutions that are designed to operate independently.