A Light-weight Sanity Check for Implemented Architectures

Report (2013)
Department
Software Technology (EEMCS) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2010 The Author(s) . Software Engineering Research Group, Department of Software Technology, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science, Delft University of Technology
Software Quality Software Architecture Evaluation Software Architectures Architecture Erosion
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Published Date

31-12-2013

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Source:

Technical Reposrt Series TUD-SERG-2013-003

ISSN:

1872-5392

Faculty

Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

Department

Software Technology

Abstract

Architecture evaluations offer many benefits, including the early detection of problems and a better understanding of the possibilities of a system. Although many methods are available to evaluate an architecture, studies have shown that the adoption of architecture evaluations in industry is low. A reason for this lack of adoption is that there is limited out-of-the-box process and tool support available to start performing architecture reviews. In this article we introduce LiSCIA, a Light-weight Sanity Check for Implemented Architectures. It can be used out-of-the-box to perform a first architectural evaluation of a system. The check is based on years of experience in evaluating the maintainability of software systems. By periodically performing this check, the erosion of the implemented architecture as the system (and its requirements) evolves over time can be controlled. Preprint accepted for publication in IEEE Software, Special Issue on Software Evolution: Maintaining Stakeholders Satisfaction in a Changing World, July/August 2010, IEEE Computer Society