How are middleware components and modules in Python similar in their principle of operation?

Middleware components and modules in Python are similar in their operation principle, as both serve to extend functionality and process data at certain stages of program execution.

Middleware typically acts as an intermediary layer that intercepts and processes requests or data before they reach the main application logic, and/or after it. Similarly, Python modules are separate files with code that can be imported and used to organize and reuse functionality.

Both concepts allow for responsibility separation and the creation of processing chains: middleware as a series of request processing layers, modules as individual components with specific logic. Thus, both middleware and modules provide modularity and extensibility of code, enabling new features to be added without changing the core logic.