CMU CS 15-675 Architectures for Software Systems Spring 1996

Formal Models for Data Flow

Garlan & Shaw Questions on Readings for Lecture 9 Due: Mon Feb 12 , 1996

The papers:

Shaw and Garlan (1996): Software Architecture, Sec 6.2, 6.3.

Hints:

You need not follow all of the formal details, but you should attempt to see if the formal models match your intuition about what a Pipe & Filter architecture is. Consider issues such as: How are schemas used? What is the essence of the model? You should also consider how the two formal models differ.

Questions:

1) Contrasting the formal model of Section 6.2 with the one of 6.3, what is the essential difference between the two?

2) How does the formal model of an oscilloscope in 6.2 handle the ability for the user to configure what function an oscilloscope performs.

3) List two ways in which the formal model of Pipes & Filters in 6.3 abstracts from reality.

4) List two constraints that the model of Pipes & Filters in 6.3 places on the use of data flow? ÿ