Coupling Clarity: Using Connascence to Write Maintainable Code
Tom Wetjens
Connascence is the subtle, often invisible coupling that binds your code together—and it might be quietly sabotaging your software design.
This talk introduces the concept of connascence (originally coined by MeilirPage-Jones in 1992): the degree to which different parts of your code must change together. We’ll explore the various types of connascence, learn to recognize them in real codebases, and discover practical refactoring techniques to reduce harmful coupling.
By understanding connascence, you’ll gain a powerful new tool for evaluating software design and making decisions that lead to more maintainable software.
I have presented this talk at:
- Energie Data Services Nederland (2025)
Coupling Clarity: Using Connascence to Write Maintainable Code (slides, PDF)