Software Architecture: Perspectives on an Emerging Discipline

Authors: Mary Shaw and David Garlan

Prentice Hall Publishing, Copyright 1996, 242 pp., Paper (0-13-182957-2)

Abstract

This book examines architectures for software systems as well as better ways to support software development. We attempt to bring together the useful abstractions of system design and the notations and tools of the software developer, and look at patterns used for system organization.

We present an introduction to the field of software architecture. Our purpose is to illustrate the discipline and examine the ways in which architectural design can impact software design. Our selection emphasizes informal descriptions, touching lightly on formal notations and specifications and on tools to support them.

The book serves two groups: First, professional software developers looking for new patterns for system organization. By identifying useful patterns clearly, giving examples, comparing them, and evaluating their utility in various settings, the book will sharpen their understanding and broaden their options. Second, students with interests in software system organization.

Education in Software Architecture

This book can be used for a course. Architectures for Software Systems, that brings together the emerging models for software architectures and shows how to approach systems from an architectural point of view.

• Teaches how to understand and evaluate design of existing software systems from an architectural perspective.
• Provides the intellectual building blocks for designing new systems in principled ways using well-understood architectural paradigms.
• Shows how formal notations and models can be used to characterize and reason about a system design.
• Presents concrete examples of actual system architectures that can serve as models for new designs.

Prentice Hall Ordering Information

Brought to you by the Composable Software Systems Research Group in the School of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University.