Design for Sustainability = Runtime Adaptation ∪ Evolution

Abstract

Continuous change changes everything; it introduces various uncertainties, which may harm the sustainability of software systems. We argue that integrating runtime adaptation and evolution is crucial for the sustainability of software systems. Realising this integration calls for a radical change in the way software is developed and operated. Our position is that we need to Design for Sustainability. To that end, we present: (i) the AdEpS model (Adaptation and Evolution processes for Sustainability) to handle and mitigate uncertainties by means of integrating runtime adaptation and evolution, and (ii) a set of engineering principles to design software systems that facilitate the application of the AdEpS model to build sustainable software.

Cloud architecture continuity: Change models and change rules for sustainable cloud software architectures

“…Our research contribution builds upon and extends earlier work into a unifying framework for sustainable cloud architectures that integrates evolution and adaptation under various types of uncertainties. In particular, our contribution are the following: a set of change models and change rules that enable specification of architecture transformations for evolution and adaptation of cloud architectures, an application of the framework to a concrete case on document management, and an evaluation of the effectiveness of the framework based on a retrospective evaluation of different cloud applications we have studied over the past years. …”

“…Change can occur in 2 incarnations—evolution and adaptation, see Figure based on 1 study . There is a need for systems to be sustainable under change, but change causes uncertainties making goal continuity a challenging task.…”

“…Goal validity implies the satisfaction of goals and goal changes in adapting or evolving systems, respectively. Our aim is to address the continuity of cloud software architectures and provide goal validity under uncertainty and change, adding to technical and economical sustainability …”

“…Furthermore, as cloud systems require both steady alignment with technological evolution and 24/7 availability, architecture continuity directly impacts the economic sustainability of cloud systems, ie, maintaining capital and added value. Realising sustainability through cloud architecture continuity requires an integrated solution for evolution and adaptation, which however have often been investigated separately . Architecture continuity for cloud systems needs a solution that considers uncertainties at different levels: not only uncertainty related to infrastructure and resources but also uncertainty arising from the presence of multiple actors, distribution, and heterogeneity .…”

Agent Environments for Multi-agent Systems – A Research Roadmap

“…Fig. 4 shows the typical progressing levels of maturity to solve problems of computing systems over time [46]. Software/system engineers typically start by solving specific problems in a specific way.…”