Question

After program is separated into small object, these objects must be connected with each over. Where are different types of connection. Inheritance, composition, aggregation, delegation. These types has many kinds and patterns like loose coupling, tight coupling, inversion of control, delegation via interfaces etc. What is a correct common name for mentioned types of connections? I can suggest that they all are called ‘coupling’, but i can’t find any good classification in google, so maybe i’m trying to use a wrong term? Maybe anyone knows a solid, trusted classification that i can user for terminology?

Answer 1

These are generally called “relationships”.

Glossary of Java and Related Terms

Taken from Object-Oriented Programming with Java:
An Introduction by David J. Barnes:

has-a relationship

See aggregation.

is-a relationship

See inheritance.

class inheritance

When a super class is extended by a sub class, a class inheritance relationship exists between them.

aggregation

A relationship in which an object contains one/more other subordinate objects as part of its state.

delegation

The process by which an object passes on a message it has received to a sub-ordinate object. If inheritance is not available in a programming language, delegation is the most viable alternative for avoiding code duplication and promoting code reuse.