Well, to me it has lots in common with the mathematical definition. Orthogonality in a project, or a program, means to me parts, modules or subroutines or whatever on any scale that does not interact or affect any other such part - it is self-contained. So you can change whatever you like in one, or just remove it and replace it with something new, and everything else will just keep on truckin'.

By having isolated parts of the world like this, your part, or the part for the day is lot's easier to work on. It has some similar concepts to OOP and especially Black Box objects, but it isn't necessarily the same thing. It can be though. :)

Worth noting is that I don't necessarily actually work this way, but this is how I read the word. :) (Note to self: Read the Pragmatic Programmer again very soon.)

Summary: Orthogonality == independence.

You have moved into a dark place.
It is pitch black. You are likely to be eaten by a grue.

In reply to Re: (OT) On Orthogonality by Dog and Pony
in thread (OT) On Orthogonality by demerphq

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