# modularity (structural)

A pattern of parts in a thing that can be apart but still work together when they are in a place.

- Computed level: L4 (depth in the emergence graph, not abstraction)
- Status: review  ·  Domain: emergencelexicon

## Emergence
**Emerges from:** [structure](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-structure.arrangement), [part](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-part.relation), [pattern](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-pattern.regularity), [boundary](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-boundary.limit)

**Through:** Parts with regular boundaries maintain their own structure and can be placed apart, yet still interact when brought together.

**Novel properties:**
- independent replaceability
- recombinable function
- localized change

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*Canonical: https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-modularity.structural*  
*Structured data: https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-modularity.structural.json*  
*Every definition provably resolves to space, time, energy and pattern.*