[comp.software-eng] References on Software Architectures

samuels@chance.uucp (Michael Samuels) (12/20/89)

After reviewing several documents on "software architectures," I
have decided I no longer know what the term means.

Documents written in support of the Software Development Life
Cycle stress the computer side of the coin.  They talk about layering,
"good software engineering practices" (e.g., information hiding,
abstraction), and services provided to other layers in the
architecture.  The communications side of the coin - interfaces
between layers and protocols between "peer" processes - get
ignored for the most part.

References along the lines of Tanenbaum talk about layering, as
well.  However, the focus here is on communications issues -
especially of the lower layers (1-4 of the OSI model).
The discussions here tend to be abstract and ignore problems with
fitting together user applications, utilities, and COTS products
on top of system services, other COTS products, and existing systems.

Does anyone have good references treating "architecture" as an
interdisciplinary topic that crosscuts hardware, software, and
communications - and that provides "practical" guidelines
instead of discussions of "ideal layered models"?  Thanks for
your suggestions.  I will post a summary of replies.

Michael Samuels 			The MITRE Corporation
samuels@community-chest.mitre.org	Mailstop Z676
(703) 883-7828 				7525 Colshire Drive
					McLean, VA 22102