Interoperability precedes and enables composability in software systems

[[ 2022-03-17 ]] #web3 #software-development #holochain

I often think of interoperability as being an advantage and selling point of web3 technologies like [[ Holochain ]], [[ Neighbourhoods ]], and [[ AD4M ]]. But, interoperability is not the whole story. It is simply a means to an end, that end being composability.

We make software systems (application microservices, micromodules, widgets, ad4m languages, etc.) interoperable such that they can be composed together, creating new kinds of applications and systems. In fact, it creates a new kind of environment for applications to be developed within: extending the compositional nature of programming to digital social coordination environments.

Could this kind of software development model sufficiently harness the distributed talent of developers around the world? That is to say, [[ can open networks actually outcompete multinational corporations? ]]

This is where some of the real web3 innovation will disrupt existing business model, by enabling horizontal open network value flows as an alternative to monolithic vertically integrated software systems. If things go well, [[ holochain will enable an unprecedented evolution of open-source tools for developing all sorts of applications ]].