Software Articheture

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Abstract

This paper gives a deep overview of the development of software architecture. The information is mostly based on D.L Parnas and Mary Shaw writings. D.L Parnas described software a collection of modules that can be managed independently to form a whole system. Mary Shaw on the other side introduced the concept of object oriented programming. This concept is indirectly introduced by Shaw through use of data abstraction. By doing this, the paper gives a clear picture of software architecture evolvement and changes which have taken place since the then of Parnas and Shaw.

Introduction

D.L Parnas was able to note that to make any system flexible and comprehensible modularization must be used but he was not able to come with a good way to do modularization. Shaw comes with ways like data abstraction, use of data types and algorithms which are programming language constructs which can be used to do modularization. This paper describes how Parnas and Shaw explain software architecture and also in addition it depicts how Shaw builds on Parnas work. Both Parnas and Shaw have an impact on the modern software, since the two give a basis on software and software development.

Discussion

Parnas got it right by introducing this concept of modularization. A large code for instance cannot be managed well, but if the software is decomposed into modules as explained by Parnas it will be so easy for anything to be done on that system. Modules bring in flexibility whereby the product is flexible since it is easy to make changes in a module. Modularization makes software to be more comprehensible and manageable.

Mary Shaw on the other hand introduces the concept of abstraction. Shaw can be seen to be right, since he describes a system as subsystems interacting together. This concept of subsystems is built from Parnas concept of modules. Shaw also...