Towards an Algebra of Architectural Connectors a Case Study on Synchronisation for Mobility.pdfVIP

Towards an Algebra of Architectural Connectors: a Case Study on Synchronization for Mobility Michel Wermelinger Jos´e Luiz Fiadeiro Departamento de Inform´atica Departamento de Inform´atica Universidade Nova de Lisboa Universidade de Lisboa 2825 Monte da Caparica Campo Grande, 1700 Lisboa Portugal Portugal E-mail: mw@di.fct.unl.pt E-mail: llf@di.fc.ul.pt Abstract changes at the computation level imply changes at the coor- dination level (e.g., when new components, or new features To cope with the flexibility and extensibility needed for to existing ones, are added). Even in this case, separate the specification of the architecture of evolving software specification makes it easier to handle the problem. systems, it is useful to have a set of primitive connectors Thus, to cope properly with system dynamics at the soft- from which new ones can be created in a systematic way as ware architecture level it is necessary for connectors to be needs arise and to connect components only when they are as flexible as components. This means that it should be pos- required to interact. This could be achieved with a connec- sible to easily create, remove, and change both connectors tor algebra whose constants are given primitive connectors and components. Moreover, in order to have a grip on the and whose operations allow the (