If κω is a cardinal, a complete Boolean algebra is called κ-dependent if for each sequence bβ: β<κ of elements of there exists a partition of the unity, P, such that each pP extends bβ or bβ′, for κ-many βκ. The connection of this property with cardinal functions, distributivity laws, forcing and collapsing of cardinals is considered.

Let A[ω]ω be a maximal almost disjoint family and assume P is a forcing notion. Say A is P-indestructible if A is still maximal in any P-generic extension. We investigate P-indestructibility for several classical forcing notions P. In particular, we provide a combinatorial characterization of P-indestructibility and, assuming a fragment of MA, we construct maximal almost disjoint families which are P-indestructible yet Q-destructible for several pairs of forcing notions . We close with a detailed investigation of iterated Sacks indestructibility.