Next Generation Application Integration: From Simple Information to Web Services

Coupling versus Cohesion

In looking at the applications and databases that make up the application integration problem domain, you should always consider an integration alternative that, generally, comes down to one of two choices—coupling or cohesion. This concept extends to Chapter 4.

Coupling, in the context of application integration, is the binding of applications together in such a way that they are dependent on each other, sharing the same methods, interfaces, and perhaps data.

At first glance, coupling may seem like the perfect idea. However, you should not lose sight of what it really requires—the tight binding of one application domain to the next. As a consequence of this requirement, all coupled applications and databases will have ...