BOUNDED-CONTEXT

Autonomous business model boundary.

Definition

The bounded context is the cornerstone of DDD strategic design. An organisation typically has 10-50 bounded contexts mapped in a context map (Anti-Corruption Layer, Shared Kernel, Customer-Supplier...). Often aligned with microservices and Conway-style teams. Criterion: ubiquitous language remains consistent inside.

Origin

Concept published by Eric Evans in Domain-Driven Design (2003), chapter 14.

Example in context

At Amazon: Order Management, Catalog, Inventory, Pricing, Recommendations are distinct bounded contexts.

Related terms

• Ubiquitous Language — linguistic counterpart.