Premium
A software architecture for the 70's: Part I—the general approach
Author(s) -
Spooner C. R.
Publication year - 1971
Publication title -
software: practice and experience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.437
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1097-024X
pISSN - 0038-0644
DOI - 10.1002/spe.4380010103
Subject(s) - computer science , section (typography) , construct (python library) , modular design , code (set theory) , software engineering , interface (matter) , architecture , function (biology) , programming language , software , set (abstract data type) , operating system , visual arts , biology , art , bubble , maximum bubble pressure method , evolutionary biology
A framework is described on which it should be possible to construct general purpose systems suitable for the 70's. The companion paper will describe a particular implementation; comparisons with other recent approaches are deferred to a subsequent paper. The first section of this paper postulates the requirements of the 70's, concluding with the need for a useful method of modularizing, which both recognize, that code is seldom perfect, and allows hitherto mandatory and untouchable components to be optional and alterable. The second section develops an approach to modular structure. It takes as the three basic ingredients: Activities (or processes), tools (code, processors, etc.) and the organization of applying the tools to the activities. The structure modularizes both what happens (into activities) and the code that is used (into logical and into physical units). By developing the role of the central organizing element, as a caretaker of management decisions taken by activities, a means of modularizing the management function is arrived at. The third section discusses the extent to which implementation to date has vindicated the theory, makes some observations on the interface with the hardware, and as a postscript traces the evolution of the concepts.