Re: APIs, messaging

[David Brownell <david-b@pacbell.net>]

> Does that seem like a reasonable breakdown of the situation?

Sure.  In the context of distributed systems, I usually call the two
perspectives "tight coupling" and "loose coupling".  Most systems
have elements of each.

Bind tightly to anything (API, class/data structure, ...) and you've
developed a system that needs to react to lots of changes -- fragile,
all components have to change in lockstep.  As Walter implied,
viable only within artificially constrained environments; basically,
where centralized control works.

But if you have a carefully specified framework that works with a
more flexible notion of "type" ... that's the sweet spot, where the
components (organizations ...) can evolve at their own rates.  A
better match, on the whole, for the Real World.

- Dave