Utilizing architectural styles to enhance the adaptation support of middleware platforms

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• 作者：Naeem Esfahani ; ^{nesfaha2@gmu.edu} ; Sam Malek ^{smalek@gmu.edu}
• 关键词：Software architecture ; Architectural style ; Adaptation patterns ; Middleware
• 刊名：Information and Software Technology
• 出版年：2012
• 期刊代码：58_09505849
• 类别：cp
• 出版时间：July, 2012
• 卷：54
• 期：7
• 页码：786-801
• 文件大小：2372 K

摘要

Context

Modern middleware platforms provide the applications deployed on top of them with facilities for their adaptation. However, the level of adaptation support provided by the state-of-the-art middleware solutions is often limited to dynamically loading and off-loading of software components. Therefore, it is left to the application developers to handle the details of change such that the system鈥檚 consistency is not jeopardized.

Objective

We aim to change the status quo by providing the middleware facilities necessary to ensure the consistency of software after adaptation. We would like these facilities to be reusable across different applications, such that the middleware can streamline the process of achieving safe adaptation.

Method

Our approach addresses the current shortcomings by utilizing the information encoded in a software system鈥檚 architectural style. This information drives the development of reusable adaptation patterns. The patterns specify both the exact sequence of changes and the time at which those changes need to occur. We use the patterns to provide advanced adaptation support on top of an existing architectural middleware platform.

Results

Our experience shows the feasibility of deriving detailed adaptation patterns for several architectural styles. Applying the middleware to adapt two real-world software systems shows the approach is effective in consistently adapting these systems without jeopardizing their consistency.

Conclusion

We conclude the approach is effective in alleviating the application developers from the responsibility of managing the adaptation process at the application-level. Moreover, we believe this study provides the foundation for changing the way adaptation support is realized in middleware solutions.