Java Application Architecture: Modularity Patterns with Examples Using OSGi

9. Dependency Patterns

The dependency patterns help manage the relationships between modules, something that few development teams seriously consider. In fact, I’ve found it personally fascinating that development teams spend so much time designing class relationships but yet spend so little time creating a supporting physical structure. Here, you’ll find some guidance that will help you create a module structure that emphasizes low coupling between modules. You’ll also find some discussion exploring how module design impacts deployment. The dependency patterns include the following:

• Acyclic Relationships: Module relationships must be acyclic.

• Levelize Modules: Module relationships should be levelized.

• Physical Layers: Module relationships ...