Solution

The correct answer is Option 3

Key Points

• Coupling refers to the degree of interdependence between software modules. Lower coupling indicates better modularity and easier maintainability.
• The various types of coupling, ranked from lowest to highest, are as follows:
  1. Stamp Coupling (B): Modules share a composite data structure but use only a part of it. This is the lowest form of coupling in the given options.
  2. Control Coupling (C): One module controls the behavior of another by passing information on what to do (e.g., control flags).
  3. External Coupling (D): Modules depend on externally defined data formats, communication protocols, etc.
  4. Common Coupling (A): Modules share global data, which can lead to unintended interactions and reduced maintainability.
  5. Content Coupling (E): The highest form of coupling, where one module directly modifies or relies on the internal workings of another module (e.g., accessing private data).

Additional Information

• Lower coupling: Makes software easier to maintain, test, and understand.
• Higher coupling: Leads to tightly interconnected modules, making the code harder to modify and maintain.
• In general, aim for low coupling and high cohesion in software design.

Hence, the correct answer is: Option 3) B, C, D, A, E