Evaluating Software Architectures: Methods and Case Studies

by Paul Clements, Rick Kazman

The foundation of any software system is its architecture. Using this book, you can evaluate every aspect of architecture in advance, at remarkably low cost -- identifying improvements that can dramatically improve any system's performance, security, reliability, and maintainability. As the practice of software architecture has matured, it has become possible to identify causal connections between architectural design decisions and the qualities and properties that result downstream in the systems that follow from them. This book shows how, offering step-by-step guidance, as well as detailed practical examples -- complete with sample artifacts reflective of those that evaluators will encounter. The techniques presented here are applicable not only to software architectures, but also to system architectures encompassing computing hardware, networking equipment, and other elements. For all software architects, software engineers, developers, IT managers, and others responsible for creating, evaluating, or implementing software architectures.

Genres: Architecture, Computer Science, Technical, Technology, Programming

368 pages, Hardcover

First published October 22, 2001

Reviews

[Christoph Kappel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book explains three different architecture review methods (ATAM, SAAM, ARID) and contains examples of varying length for each of them, witch a major focus on ATAM.

I think this is a pretty good explanation of the three and how to approach them, although I still cannot imagine how to really approach this and probably just have to give it a try.

The key selling points for me is that apparently every format just tries to bring people together, so they can talk about it face to face for the first time.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Architecture Trade off Analysis Method (ATAM). This is a great book for direction in the evaluation of Software Architectures. The older method SAAM (Scenario Based Analysis Method) is added to the ATAM and looks what happens to an architecture when quality attributes like Performance, Security, Modifiability, maintainability, and so forth are evaluated and trade offs made.

[Steve Whiting · Rating 4 out of 5]

Provides case studies to demonstrate the use of the ATAM, SAAM and the ARID methodologies for evaluating architectures. In that, it 'does what it says on the tin' and has pretty good coverage of all, including organisation of the evaluations and some of the political awareness required.

[Neethu · Rating 3 out of 5]

fine