fundamental applies to something that is a foundation without which an entire system or complex whole would collapse. vital suggests something that is necessary to a thing's continued …

The fundamentals include modularity, anticipation of change, generality and an incremental approach.

FUNDAMENTAL definition: serving as, or being an essential part of, a foundation or basis; basic; underlying. See examples of fundamental used in a sentence.

Bedrock is literally a hard, solid layer of rock underlying the upper strata of soil or other rock. Thus, by extension, it is any foundation or basis. Used literally as early as 1850 in Nelson …

When asked what the fundamental, or essential, principles of life are, a teenager might reply, "Breathe. Be a good friend. Eat chocolate. Get gas money." Fundamental has its roots in the …

a basic principle, rule, law, or the like, that serves as the groundwork of a system; essential part to master the fundamentals of a trade

Reading, writing, and arithmetic are the fundamentals of education.

The fundamentals include modularity, anticipation of change, generality and an incremental approach.

One way to enable speed is by distilling complex decisions down to the fundamentals, framing them in simple terms and committing to a decision quickly.

The fundamentals of something are its simplest, most important elements, ideas, or principles, in contrast to more complicated or detailed ones.