Better abstractions for reusable components & architectures

Abstract

This is the unspecified version of the paper.This version of the publication may differ from the final published version. Permanent AbstractSoftware architecture (SA) is a crucial component of Model Driven Engineering (MDE), since it eases the communication and reuse of designs and components. However, existing languages (e.g., UML, AADL, SysML) are lacking many needed features. In particular, they provide rudimentary support for connectors, a first-class element in the components and connectors (C&C) architectural view and one of the most reusable architectural elements. This is unfortunate, since the difficult properties that need to be guaranteed for complex systems are mainly the non-functional properties, like throughput, security and dependability, which are greatly influenced by the employed connectors.This work reviews the basic abstractions of the C&C view of SA and examines extra architectural elements which can support the detailed, explicit and separate description of behaviour, interaction and control logic.

Xcd – Modular, Realizable Software Architectures

“…XCD advocates the underspecification of connectors -additional interaction properties are to be imposed through modular role strategies [22]. These can enforce an action order, e.g., that Seat is acquired before the Forks, or render the system deadlock-free.…”

“…We advocate that "Connectors + Components = Systems", with connectors being essentially decentralized algorithms and components the equivalent to data structures [22]. This means that the main active elements in an architecture are its connectors, not its components.…”