Practices of the Python Pro

Chapter 10. Achieving loose coupling

This chapter covers

• Recognizing the signs of tightly coupled code
• Strategies for reducing coupling
• Message-oriented programming

Loose coupling is what allows you to make changes in different areas of your code without worrying that you’ll break something elsewhere. It allows you to work on one feature while your coworker tackles another. It’s also the foundation for other desirable characteristics, like extensibility. Without loose coupling, the job of maintaining your code can quickly grow out of hand.

In this chapter, you’ll see some of the pains of tight coupling and learn how to address them.

10.1. Defining coupling

Because the idea of coupling plays such a big role in effective software development, ...