A classification and comparison framework for software architecture description languages

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A classification and comparison framework for software architecture description languages (2000)

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by Nenad Medvidovic , Richard N. Taylor

Venue:	IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering
Citations:	852 - 59 self

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@ARTICLE{Medvidovic00aclassification,
    author = {Nenad Medvidovic and Richard N. Taylor},
    title = {A classification and comparison framework for software architecture description languages},
    journal = {IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering},
    year = {2000},
    volume = {26},
    pages = {70--93}
}

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Abstract

Software architectures shift the focus of developers from lines-of-code to coarser-grained architectural elements and their overall interconnection structure. Architecture description languages (ADLs) have been proposed as modeling notations to support architecture-based development. There is, however, little consensus in the research community on what is an ADL, what aspects of an architecture should be modeled in an ADL, and which of several possible ADLs is best suited for a particular problem. Furthermore, the distinction is rarely made between ADLs on one hand and formal specification, module interconnection, simulation, and programming languages on the other. This paper attempts to provide an answer to these questions. It motivates and presents a definition and a classification framework for ADLs. The utility of the definition is demonstrated by using it to differentiate ADLs from other modeling notations. The framework is used to classify and compare several existing ADLs, enabling us in the process to identify key properties of ADLs. The comparison highlights areas where existing ADLs provide extensive support and those in which they are deficient, suggesting a research agenda for the future.

Keyphrases

comparison framework software architecture description language coarser-grained architectural element particular problem overall interconnection structure classification framework architecture description language formal specification extensive support module interconnection architecture-based development research community comparison highlight area key property research agenda several possible adls little consensus

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