Coupling
The degree to which one component depends on knowledge or behavior of another.
Plain English
How tightly two parts rely on each other.
In context
Lower coupling usually makes components easier to change independently while excessive indirection can also add complexity.
Example
“This shared database creates tight coupling between services.”
When you'll hear this
- code review
- architecture review
- refactoring
Common misunderstanding
Coupling cannot be eliminated; the goal is deliberate stable dependencies.
Commonly used by
Related terms
Updated: 2026-08-25
