What are the major issues associated with managing product line evolution?
Adopting a product line paradigm creates an organizational shift. Managing product line evolution is the most difficult part of the paradigm. The product line will change as new versions of the current product come out. An organization would need to use the new versions to satisfy changing client needs. Additionally, new improvements to various components may change the way the products are built. New version of components may not be entirely backward compatible, thus additional rework will need to be done to accommodate the changes.
What is the basic approach to problem solving in the blackboard framework?
The blackboard framework is a dynamic group of independent entities that communicate and work together in order to solve some common problem. The knowledge sources adds a solution piece to the blackboard data structure when they (independently) think it’s appropriate. There is no centralized control mechanism that makes decisions as to when a knowledge source needs to contribute some piece of information. Rather the control entity states the conditions of when and each knowledge source need to contribute. The knowledge sources observe the commotion on the blackboard and contribute to progress independently.
What are the components of the blackboard model?
The blackboard model is usually composed of three components: knowledge sources, blackboard data structure, and control. The knowledge source component represents the chunks of information that is needed in order to solve a problem. These sources are separate from each other. The blackboard data structure can be looked at as a repository for the final solution. In this storage receptacle the final solution is slowly developed based on the sources and controls used. The control is not a module, but rather a mechanism or an abstract algorithm that specifies how a problem will be solved.
In addition to the architecture itself, what are the assets that can be considered as members of a product line?
A collection of assets includes the following elements:
- Components – this asset does not directly deal with re-use of code, it encompasses and utilizes all elements of previously built successful parts (components) of the system. This includes re-use of design, documentation, structure, and etc. of components.
- Personnel – when the products have the same structure, then workers can shift from project to project and be able to quickly understand and adapt to changes.
- Defect elimination – when a component is re-used in different projects, eliminating a fault in one component solves problems in multiple projects.
- Project Planning – previous experiences help planning.
- Performance – these issues are similar from product to product. Predictability increases.
- Processes, methods, and tools – re-use occurs extensively, as the way components have been developed before is well known and understood.
- Exemplar systems – the benefit of seeing systems in action and in operation shows that an organization can deliver on its promises.
What is the main function of the HLA?
The main function of the High Level Architecture is to establish a common infrastructure, or the foundation, for a building other components of a system. The infrastructure is then used and re-used by other components of a system that rely on communication and other resources through HLA. This non-software blueprint of a system has been used by the AMG to create an environment that supports interoperability and reusability. Interface specification is used to coordinate communication efforts of various components that are built on top of the HLA.
When is middleware not appropriate?
Middleware can get very complex and difficult to develop. The difficulties arise from the need to know the location of the servers and the amount of low-level details exposed. Certain domain specific systems with hard real-time systems may not afford to use a middleware services as that may slow down transaction speeds between an OS and applications. If a development company does not trust the middleware vendors, due to the secrecy of client’s data transmitted between databases and some applications, then that company may need to implement such middleware layer in-house.
What kinds of changes are difficult for an object-oriented system to handle?
Managing changes to an object’s identify is the most significant disadvantage of an object-oriented system. If an identify of an object changes, then all other objects that use that identify must be updated in order to reflect the change in just one object. Manageability of various objects becomes a major issue.
Can an object (in the architectural sense) have multiple interfaces? Is such a feature desirable?
Yes, an object can have multiple interfaces. From an architectural point of view there are advantages to having multiple interfaces. Because an object preserves the integrity of data it contains, the only way to send messages to that object is via interfaces. Thus if some object A wants to communicate with some other object B, then it has to talk through an interface. One interface does not fit the needs of all objects, thus it is useful to have multiple interfaces to promote communication between different objects that have different requirements.
How can the activity of a filter be triggered?
The activity of a filter is triggered when there is information to be processed. When the pipe runs dry and no information is incoming a filter may fall asleep until more information arrives. Additionally, feedback and feedforward controls are responsible for continuing feeding information back into a filter.
What is an open proprietary architectural standard?
An open proprietary architectural standard is promoted by Morris and Ferguson who make case for open systems where the “complex of standards and rules” would be freely published. This open standard would allow anyone to see how the system was designed and constructed. This open-ended architecture would allow the software to evolve, because any enhancements to the software would have to adhere to a defined architectural, and freely available, standard. An example of an open proprietary product is the CCITT fax standard and the NTSC television standard. An example of a closed proprietary product is Adobe’s PDF file format and Windows 2000 OS, as no one but the company can make changes to the architecture.
How do you reason about the functionality of pure pipe-and-filter systems? For example, if filter f with input stream x delivers the output stream f(x), what does the following compute? Why?
The nature of the pure pipe-and-filter systems allows an architect to construct complex data flow system from simpler components. This method allows an architect to understand, in detail, the properties of simpler components. Additionally, an architect can start from a simple system with just a few components, and then build up a more complex system. We can reason about the example in the following manner. It is given that when the input stream X enters filter F, the output stream will be F(X). The output stream F(X) sequentially becomes an input stream to filter G, and the output stream of filter G is G(F(X)). In a similar manner the input stream G(F(X)) enters filter H and the final output stream of the system is H(G(F(X))). The following computation leads to the final result by using the results of previous computation.
When should you seriously consider using the process control paradigm to organize a software system (or part of one)?
Process control paradigm is ideal for the systems that require continuous monitoring of certain output values. In such systems the output values need to be at a specified range in order for the system to function. This paradigm may be applied to real-time systems, where the timing is a critical element of system requirements. An autopilot system is a good candidate for process control paradigm. Altitude control element of an autopilot system is an example of a closed-loop system, as the system must be running continuously (reading information from sensors and processing acting accordingly). A set point of such system would be a specified attitude, and an input variable would be the data from the altimeter. The manipulated variables would be the engine thrust and the elevators of an airplane. The goal of the system would be to maintain the specified altitude (controlled variable) to ensure a smooth flight.
How can the activity of a filter be triggered?
The activity of a filter is triggered when there is information to be processed. When the pipe runs dry and no information is incoming a filter may fall asleep until more information arrives. Additionally, feedback and feedforward controls are responsible for continuing feeding information back into a filter.
What is the difference between routine and innovative design?
Routine design aims at “solving familiar problems” and designing solutions by using the knowledge base from previous projects and experiences. For example, an accounting (payroll) system would most likely involve routine design; as such systems have been in production for a long time and are well understood. Routine design involves a lot of re-use and occurs much more frequently than an innovative design that requires original thinking. Innovative design is opposite of routine design, and aims at solving problems that do not have any previous knowledge base. Innovative design aims at solving original and unique problems, such as controlling an unmanned helicopter through a remote control center.
I’m responsible for one of the components in a tier system. Each component has been designed by a different person with interfaces defined as communication channels. In the end the system didn’t work as the customer wanted. How could have an architecture diagram have helped us?
When designers fail to see the big picture a large scale system is unlikely to match the requirements as the communication and role of each of the requirements may not be understood. In this big picture the designers must be able to understand the interconnections (behavioral and otherwise) between different requirements that must be satisfied in order to achieve a functional system. The designers often fail to see an impact of one requirement on other parts of the system. If a customer wants a dependable system, then performance may have to give in, as it is not possible to achieve both qualities in the same system. This is where identifying software quality attributes would have helped, as they help identify the priority of each need.
What are the principles of good architectural documentation?
- Statement of requirements establishes the problem boundary, puts the problem in perspective and explains why the work to be done makes sense. This is the most critical part of documentation as it gives a reader the perspective of a problem.
- Description of context provides a list of inputs and outputs that will interact with a system at stake. Additionally, this description shows the interfaces of the external systems.
- Use of architectural diagrams allows for improved communication and understanding of a system to be developed. The diagrams depict a developer’s imagination, and allow others to see how an original developer envisioned a system.
- Consideration of implementation-level constraints prevents developers from fantasizing about a system that cannot be implemented. If a developer is working with a data-oriented repository style some of the implementation-level constraints may depend on hardware. Addressing these issues early build confidence among many stakeholders – to convince them that a system at stake is indeed possible.
- Rationale for architectural design discusses different options and considerations that were entertained before a set architecture was chosen. Keeping a record of the rationale is important, as new employees or system maintainers will question the decisions later.
What is the essential role of a software architect?
Making the right decisions at the right time is the chief responsibility of a software architect. Specifically the architect must evaluate various design options in light of overall system objectives and constraints. Each architectural decision has its benefits and costs, and since it is not possible to achieve all quality attributes that one may desire, an architect must make tradeoffs between available options.
What influences architect’s decisions?
Architect’s decisions are influenced by the system stakeholders, technical environment, problem domain area, organization’s intellectual assets, architect’s education and experience, and politics.
Why do you need to have multiple views to accurately describe system architecture?
Each view has a specific goals and a purpose; each view accomplishes different objectives. Multiple views of a system provide an abstraction – a developer doesn’t always need to see the whole system and all of its components. Additionally, different stakeholders need different views to understand their role in the system. This promotes understanding for all stakeholders and saves time, as some stakeholders may not care at all about someone else’s view. Finally, multiple views allow for a more concrete view. It is not possible to fit all components of the system on one sheet of paper and make clear sense of it.
How do engineering disciplines evolve?
The engineering disciplines evolve from ad hoc state in two steps. Initially, talented and passionate amateurs pioneer the discipline. They achieve their goals by all means necessary – usually irrationally using available resources. Later the routine production occurs. With time the need for advancement arises and supporting science for an engineering discipline emerges. The maturing science eventuallys turn into a “professional engineering practice,” where science will become the main driving force of a discipline.
What are four methods that are commonly used by architects to build systems?
Normative, rational, argumentative, heuristic methodologies. The selection of the four methods depends on the circumstances of the project and a problem at hand. The first two methodologies are widely practiced in engineering institutions.
