There are several interpretations and definitions of the term granularity, including:

(1) Granularity is described as the degree of modularity of a computer system; that is, the number of separate components (or "granules") that a system contains. The more components in a computer system, or the greater the granularity, the more flexible it is in providing the ability to customize the system. This customization is increasingly possible because as the size of components grows smaller, the greater number of components from which there is to choose.

(2) Granularity is a description of a computer activity or feature in terms of the relative size, level of detail, or depth of penetration of the units it handles. In this context, granularity can broadly refer to numerous things. Therefore, its actual meaning is not always clear if the way in which it is being used is not properly defined. For example, granularity can...