There's a short piece of text whose heading is as follows:
Maximum variability and openness
The variability and openness should refer to the features of an application.
Which article should/could I use before maximum — zero, definite, indefinite?
I'm a little bit confused by the many examples found through googling.
Edit: I'm sorry I didn't include more context in my original question. I thought it would be enough. What follows is the actual text of the paragraph:
Customize the [product name] yourself for it to meet all of the diverse requirements of the users in your company. The openness of the [product name] is based on its ability to integrate an array of individual activities managed by special, tailored pieces of software that you use to perform activities in your company.
As for the negative connotations of variability when talking about software, I must say I was a bit confused at first, but then I checked my dictionary to find out it's a false friend in my native language. Good to know!
I suppose the producer wants to stress the… it's on the tip of my tongue… versatility or universality of their application. No, those aren't the right words. I guess it's the infinite customizability that matters here most. How about variedness, diversity, diverseness, heterogeneity or multifariousness then? I'm sorry if this is a bit off-topic. Should I make it another question?
Best Answer
You haven't provided enough context to say definitively, but if the phrase is a heading or title, no article is needed. Article “a” would be incorrect (although one might say “A maximum of variability and openness”). Article “the” would be clumsy. Note, if you are describing a software product, variability is not a positive feature. Also, some may prefer maximal to maximum.