An Investigation on Coupling and Cohesion as Contributory Factors for Stable System Design and Hence the Influence on System Maintainability and Reusability

Complexity is an inherent property. Measuring and keeping it under control is more logical than practical. Since quality is directly proportional to complexity, a quantitative measure is expected. In software industry, software quality is depending on quality of each phases of its development. As the size of the requirement increases, the design phase complexity increases. This has an adverse affect on software stability. The fundamental design-need in Object Oriented Methodology (OOM) is the well-defined modules and their inter-connectivity, namely, cohesion and coupling. The structure of such artefact is expected to be simple since it influences stability and thereon the module reusability and maintainability. This paper encompasses an investigation on coupling and cohesion which are major design decisive factors and their influence on maintainability and reusability through design stability. The paper provides a hypothetical support on the influence of coupling and cohesion on maintainability and reusability. It also focuses on the further research interests in the same field as a part of through literature survey. The work would contribute to design a high quality product by which the industries sustain themselves in the competitive market.