In computing, system integration is the merging of multiple applications and devices to create a complete software application. In this integration, each component is considered a module for the entire application. A modular system is a computer application made up of components that are integrated into a larger overall application.
A mouse is typically part of a home computer system.
Building modular apps is similar to putting together a puzzle. Each piece of the puzzle is critical to creating the final product. Advanced computing applications typically include “customized off-the-shelf” (COTS) products that are integrated into a business application. Each COTS product has business rules designed to complete a specific task within the application.
Computer distribution is the software design technique that enables the distribution of software modules across hardware platforms.
Home computer systems typically include monitors, printers, cameras, keyboards, and mice. This is an example of a modular system. Each device has a specific purpose for the entire computer system. These devices can be upgraded or modified without affecting the other core components.
Modular software development is an efficient use of the best software components. This process imposes logical boundaries between the components of an application. These components interact through software or hardware interfaces.
Computer distribution is the software design technique that enables the distribution of software modules across hardware platforms. This modular system approach has built-in expansion potential. As demand increases, new servers can be added to the distributed architecture without the need for software changes.
A modular personal computer (PC) is a small computing device that has interchangeable components for its operation. This device creates independence from standard hardware configurations found in laptops and desktops. With the advent of cloud computing, modular PCs will continue to grow in popularity.
Grid Computing is an engineering technique that uses the hardware and processing power of various computer systems to solve complex problems. The grid computing model represents a modular system. Each computer within the grid is responsible for solving a specific problem for the general application.
There are several complex problems that require modular thinking. In desktop applications, it’s important to break down problems into manageable components. For example, creating a computer application to solve various humanitarian problems would require extremely complex algorithms. By creating separate boundaries for each computer module, coding, testing, and deployment become easier.
The object-oriented programming (OOP) paradigm is an example of modular software development. An object is the term used to describe a computing component that consists of specific functions, definitions, and limits. Within OOP, it is critical to keep an object definition confined to the data relevant to that object. Various objects are combined in the software application to create a complete modular system.
