Software Engineering - Ch. 6

What is the fundamental characteristic of a repository architecture?

A repository architecture is a system that will allow several interfacing components to share the same data. Each component interfaces the same dataset that is utilized system wide. They have subsystems which must exchange data: - Shared data is held in a central database or repository and may be accessed by all sub-systems; -Each sub-system maintains its own database and passes data explicitly to other sub-systems.

What is an architectural pattern?

A stylized abstract description of good practice in architectural design that has been tried and tested in different systems and environments. The pattern should include information on when it is and is not appropriate to use that architectural design. It may be represented using tabular and graphical descriptions.

Briefly describe pipe and filter architecture?

A system is decomposed into a set of functional transformations that consume inputs and produce outputs. Data flows from one function to another (the pipeline) and is transformed as it passes through the sequence.

What are transaction-processing applications?

Database-centered applications that process user requests for information and update the information in the database. They are organized so that transactions cannot interfere with each other and the integrity of the database is maintained.

List 4 fundamental questions that should be addressed in architectural design? (any 4 from these)

How will the system be distributed across hardware cores or processors? What architectural patterns or styles might be used? How should the architecture of the system be documents? What will be the fundamental approach used to structure the system?

What are the two ways in which an architectural model of a system may be used?

It can facilitate discussion about the system design or it can be a way of documenting an architecture that has been designed. The first way is useful because it can be useful to communicate with system stakeholders and project planning because it is not cluttered with detail. Stakeholders can relate and understand an abstract view of the system. The second way's aim is to produce a complete system model that shows the different components in a system, their interfaces and their connections.

What are the advantages of explicitly designing and documenting a software architecture?

Stakeholder communication, System analysis, and Large-scale reuse are three different advantages of explicit architecture. Architecture may be used as a focus of discussion by system stakeholders. When it comes to system analysis, this means that analysis of whether the system can meet its non-functional requirements is possible. The architecture also may be reusable across a range of systems.

What are the fundamental architectural views proposed in Krutchen's 4+ 1 model?

The 4 + 1 Krutchen's model refers to the 4 views: Logical view: which shows the key abstractions in the system as objects or object classes. Process view: which shows how, at run-time, the system is composed of interacting processes. Development view: which shows how the software is decomposed for development. Physical view: which shows the system hardware and how software components are distributed across the processors in the system. The + 1 refers to related using use cases or scenarios.

What is the most important advantage of a client-server architecture?

The principal advantage of this model is that servers can be distributed across a network. General functionality (e.g., a printing service) can be available to all clients and does not need to be implemented by all services.

What are the principal functions of the 4 layers in a generic information system architecture?

The principal functions of a generic information system architecture include user interface, user communications, information retrieval, and system database. User interface is where the user will operate. User communications layer handles all input and output from the user interface. Information retrieval layer includes application specific logic for accessing and updating the database. Database is where data is stored that we can access for later use.