Architecture As Composition

Abstract

An architecture description language models connections with explicit connectors (Sect. 3.4). This separates the application-specific parts from the architecture and increases reuse, since both can be varied independently of each other. On the other hand, this principle is supported only by specific architecture languages. These new languages require a learning effort, need specific tools, and often, there is no simple migration path towards the new technology.

The purpose of this chapter is to show that the concept of a port is a special instance of the concept of a declared hook. As a consequence, connectors can be realized as a special variant of composers, Since composers work invasively, the concept of connectors can be generalized, so that other aspects of the architecture, such as topology and transfer, can be separated.

While Moltke desired to retain resilience to the entire army, which was enabled by the separation of its parts, the generals instinctively tended to stick to each other.

G. A. Craig, The Battle of Königgrätz (Craig, 1987]