Modularity (networks)

Modularity in networks means grouping similar nodes (things connected to other things) together into separate clusters (groups of things). It's like putting all the blue cars in one parking lot and all the red cars in another.

When we have a network, there are different parts of it that might be more connected to each other than other parts. For example, imagine a social network where people are connected by their friends. Some people might be friends with a lot of other people, while others might only be friends with a few.

If we group people together based on their friend connections, we might find some groups where lots of people are friends with each other, and other groups where people aren't as closely connected. These groups are called modules, and by analyzing them we can better understand the structure of the network.

Modularity helps us understand the patterns of connections in a network, and how they relate to the function or purpose of the network. It's like looking at a map of a city and seeing which neighborhoods are more connected and why. By understanding these patterns, we can better design networks that are efficient and effective for their intended purpose.