Showing papers on "Database-centric architecture published in 2017"

Device-Centric Sensing: An Alternative to Data-Centric Approaches

Abstract: When pieces of information originate from the physical world through the sensing infrastructure, there is a pressing need to cope with the overhead and inherent limitations lying in merely shifting huge amounts of aggregated data across the net. In this scenario, a key point is the minimization of wasted bandwidth to accommodate for ever-growing demands of sensing data. For effective treatment of sensing data, BigData principles and approaches should be adopted, particularly the one by which computing has to be brought as near as possible to data. In this paper, we propose a new approach to deal with sensing data inspired by this principle, injecting intelligence on the device instead of just using it as source of data, thus reversing the trend from the current data-centric paradigm toward a device-centric one. This way, we shift the focus from the application level onto the infrastructure one, adopting a Cloud-oriented approach to abstract and virtualize sensor-hosting boards ready to be reconfigured with custom logic, such as MapReduce, by providing resources on demand, as a service. Theoretical, design, and technical aspects have been addressed in this paper through the evaluation of a device-centric sensing infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) stack implementation. In particular, a prototype for mobiles is described, getting into platform-dependent details where needed. The facilities so far implemented under the Android platform have been put under preliminary testing through a mobile application.

Case study on which relations to use for clustering-based software architecture recovery

Abstract: Clustering-based software architecture recovery is an area that has received significant attention in the software engineering community over the years. Its key concept is the compilation and clustering of a system-wide graph that consists of source code entities as nodes, and source code relations as edges. However, the related research has mostly focused on investigating different clustering methods and techniques, and consequently there is limited work on addressing the question of what is a minimal set of relations that can be easily extracted from the system's source code, and yet can be accurately used for extracting its architecture. In this paper, we report on results obtained from an architecture recovery case study we have conducted, by considering all possible combinations which can be generated from thirteen commonly used source code relations. We have examined the similarity of the extracted architectures obtained by using each different relation combination for different systems, against the corresponding architecture which is obtained by applying all thirteen relations and whch we consider as the ground truth architecture. For this purpose, we have also examined whether the use of all these thirteen relations is indeed adequate to yield a ground truth architecture, by applying this architecture extraction process on five large sofware systems for which their ground truth architecture has been independently established. The overall results of our study indicate that there is small set of relations for procedural systems, and another similar set for object oriented systems, that can be easily extracted from the source code and yet used to yield an architecture that is close to the ground truth architecture.

On the Understandability of Semantic Constraints for Behavioral Software Architecture Compliance: A Controlled Experiment

Abstract: Software architecture compliance is concerned with the alignment of implementation with its desired architecture and detecting potential inconsistencies The work presented in this paper is specifically concerned with behavioral architecture compliance That is, the focus is on semantic alignment of implementation and architecture In particular, this paper evaluates three representative approaches for describing semantic constraints in terms of their understandability, namely natural language descriptions as used in many architecture documentations today, a structured language based on specification patterns that abstract underlying temporal logic formulas, and a structured cause-effect language that is based on Complex Event Processing We conducted a controlled experiment with 190 participants using a simple randomized design with one alternative per experimental unit Overall all approaches support a high level of correct understanding, and the statistical inference suggests that all tested approaches are equally well suited for describing semantic constraints for behavioral architecture compliance in terms of understandability In consequence this indicates that it is possible to benefit from the tested structured languages with underlying formal representations for automated verification without having to suffer from decreased understandability Vice versa, the results suggest that the use of natural language can be a suitable way to document architecture semantics when reliable automated support for formal verification is of minor importance

Domain-Driven Design of Big Data Systems based on a Reference Architecture

Abstract: In general, different application domains may require different big data systems. To enhance the understanding of big data systems and support the architect in designing big data architectures, we propose a domain-driven design approach for deriving application architectures. To this end, we propose a domain engineering approach in which a family feature model, reference architecture, and corresponding design rules are identified. The family feature model is derived based on a domain analysis of big data systems and represents the common and variant features. The reference architecture represents a generic structure for various application architectures of big data systems. Finally, the design rules define reusable design heuristics for designing an application architecture based on the selection of features of the family feature model and the reference architecture. We illustrate our approach for deriving the big data architectures of different well-known big data systems.

An Architecture for Self-Awareness Experiments

Abstract: There are many open challenges and current / future research directions for self-aware systems. We have shown that self-modeling systems address many of them, but we have not yet seen many replicable experiments that allow methods and results to be shared. In this paper, we describe an architecture for self-modeling systems, and how we expect to use it for experiments in self-awareness. These experiments support a system development and verification process that extends from system conception / definition time through run time operation.Self-Modeling, like Self-Awareness, is an approach to reach a goal, not an end in itself. The goal is survivability in difficult environments, and as much operational competence as possible. We think that run-time models are a minimum necessity for significant self-awareness, and our architecture makes significant use of them throughout.The theme for this paper: this is a beginning description of a reference architecture for a software controlled system that allows / encourages infrastructure analysis and performance prediction. It facilitates the evaluation of design choices at system definition time, so we can then specialize it to the expected run-time environment and specified run-time behavior constraints without losing the capability to "re-specialize" the architecture when the environmental conditions change.

Two perspectives on reference architecture sustainability

Abstract: In the context of software architectures, sustainability has been investigated as an important quality property to assess how well these architectures support changes over time. Several initiatives to achieve sustainable software architectures/systems can be already found. In parallel, reference architectures have served as an effective support to facilitate and standardize the development and evolution of software systems, including in complex, critical application domains. By encompassing valuable knowledge of specific domains, the reference architectures survival is considered of utmost importance, however, the most of such architectures have not been updated since their first version. Furthermore, there is a lack of works investigating how a reference architectures, by itself, can become sustainable and/or can contribute to develop sustainable systems in a domain. The main contribution of this paper is to provide a first view about sustainability on reference architectures. Resulting from our expertise on reference architectures, we bring out the two perspectives on their sustainability: (i) sustainability IN reference architectures; and (ii) sustainability OF reference architectures. In particular, for the perspective OF, we analyzed 20 existing reference architectures to assess their sustainability, and we found most of them were not updated over time. Hence, we also provide an initial set of aspects that could contribute to address sustainability of those architectures.

Combining cognition and emotion in virtual agents

Abstract: Purpose The paper aims to explain the limitations of existing cognitive architectures and affective models, and propose a new cognitive-affective architecture that can be integrated in real intelligent agents to make them more realistic and believable. Design/methodology/approach The paper evaluates the state of the art, and describes the design and implementation of the cognitive-affective architecture in an agent. A brief evaluation of the agent is provided. Findings The paper clearly states that it is possible to use cognitive architectures to help, but there is a lack of architectures that address the problem of combining cognition and emotion in agents in a unified, simplified way. A cognitive-affective architecture is useful to make believable intelligent agents in an easier way. Research limitations/implications The paper does not explore a lot of possible future work that can be done to extend the emotional expressions of the agent, as well as including direct emotional-sensing capabilities in real time. Practical implications The paper argues about the need to include cognitive-affective architectures in modern intelligent agents. The architecture allows to influence and modify the behavior of the agent in real time, to achieve a more realistic and believable interaction with the user. Social implications The paper remarks the importance of a cognitive-affective architecture that makes intelligent agents able to help the users in different tasks and environments. Originality/value The paper describes a new cognitive-affective architecture and its utility for modern intelligent agents. This is proven by including it in a previous agent, which boosts its behavior and emotional expression possibilities and thus improves user experience.

Grounded Architectures: Using Grounded Theory for the Design of Software Architectures

Abstract: Context: Designing new architectures is a challenging task. A common and also effective approach for this task is to apply architectural design experience. Problem: If, however, architectural design experience is not available, two major problems arise: (i) how can we identify architecturally significant requirements (ASRs) and (ii) how can we identify architectural design decisions (ADDs) which address those ASRs?Approach: To address these problems, we propose an approach to systematically elicit ASRs and identify ADDs based on grounded theory (GT). By using GT, our approach provides transparency and fosters objectivity: ASRs as well as ADDs are elicited by qualitative data analysis and each ADD is motivated by corresponding ASRs. While objectivity addresses the correctness of the identified ASRs and ADDs, transparency allows for assessing ADDs with respect to the corresponding ASRs. Evaluation: We evaluate our approach by a case study in which we apply it to develop an architecture in the context of the technology trend "appification".

Defining the Phrase "Software Test Architecture" Emerging Idea

Abstract: This paper examines if the phrase "software test architecture" is universally defined and understood. While there may be some agreement on the phrase within select software communities, there is a lack of world standards on the topic. A lack of common definition and practice should be addressed with the maturing of industry segments. This paper considers the lack of a current world industrial definition of "software test architecture" and then provides some recommendations on emerging future work to assist in the definition efforts.

Facilitating Collaborative Decision Making with the Software Architecture Video Wall

Abstract: Although capturing and documenting the design making process in software architecture is an important task, few tools exist to support the architect in this task. Often, such decisions are made during discussions with other stakeholders, but typically these remain implicit. We envision the Software Architecture Video Wall as a collaborative decision making tool for the software architect. The video wall serves as a whiteboard for discussions that automatically records the screenplay. Combined with the audio recordings of the discussion participants, a rich data set is obtained that may serve as input to track design decisions, and argumentation mining, to generate architecture rationale documentation. The video wall serves different uses as explained in several possible scenarios. However, as shown in the paper, much research is still required to realize this vision.

Poster Abstract: Data-centric IoT Services Provisioning in Fog-Cloud Computing Systems

Abstract: Fog computing is mainly proposed for IoT applications that are geospatially distributed, large-scale, and latency sensitive. This poses new research challenges in real-time and scalable provisioning of IoT services distributed across Fog-Cloud computing platforms. Data-centric IoT services, as a dominant type of IoT services in large-scale deployments, require design solutions to speed up data processing and notification, and scale up with the data volume. In this paper, we propose a service-oriented design architecture which is particularly focused on provisioning and processing data-centric IoT services over Fog-Cloud systems. In the proposed architecture, data-centric IoT services are organized in a service integrating tree structure, adhering to the hierarchical fog-based IoT computing models. A service node in the tree is empowered with features for real-time service data notification, local data processing and multi-level IoT data access. The initial results show that, along the design advantages of the proposed model, it does not impose any additional overhead as compared to state-of-the-art solutions.

Data-Centric IoT Services Provisioning in Fog-Cloud Computing Systems: Poster Abstract

Abstract: Fog computing is mainly proposed for IoT applications that are geospatially distributed, large-scale, and latency sensitive. This poses new research challenges in real-time and scalable provisioning of IoT services distributed across Fog-Cloud computing platforms. Data-centric IoT services, as a dominant type of IoT services in large-scale deployments, require design solutions to speed up data processing and notification, and scale up with the data volume. In this paper, we propose a service-oriented design architecture which is particularly focused on provisioning and processing data-centric IoT services over Fog-Cloud systems. In the proposed architecture, data-centric IoT services are organized in a service integrating tree structure, adhering to the hierarchical fog-based IoT computing models. A service node in the tree is empowered with features for real-time service data notification, local data processing and multi-level IoT data access. The initial results show that, along the design advantages of the proposed model, it does not impose any additional overhead as compared to state-of-the-art solutions.

Refining missions to architectures in software-intensive systems-of-systems

Abstract: An important concern in the design of a software-intensive system-of-systems (SoS) is modeling both global and individual missions to be accomplished by the SoS and its cooperating constituent systems. A first step towards the concretization of mission models is their refinement into architecture descriptions in terms of the constituents able to fulfill the established missions through emergent behaviors. In this context, we introduce M2Arch, a model-based process to refine mission models into architecture descriptions. M2Arch is concerned with the automatic generation of architecture descriptions in SosADL, a formal language to describe SoS software architectures, from mission models in mKAOS, a language to model missions. M2Arch also comes with an associated tool supporting both mission modeling and architecture description as well as validation and simulation of the resulting architectures.

Reconfigurable service-based architecture based on variability description

Abstract: Self-adaptive systems evolve during system's execution against changes in operating environment. Such evolution and reconfiguration can be specified at architecture level using a syntactical expressive language such as Architecture Description Languages (ADLs). Variability modeling is an excellent instrument to model variations of software artifacts and their behavior within a self-adaptive system. However, existing ADLs that support dynamic reconfiguration do not explicitly model variation points on which the reconfiguration is based. This constitutes a barrier for a flexible management of reconfiguration at architecture level as well as traceability issues between a dynamic description given at architectural level and its counterpart at other abstraction levels. In this paper, we propose a variant-rich service-oriented ADL that enables system to reconfigure itself at runtime in response to a context change. To this end, our modular ADL, called Dynamic Service-Oriented Product Lines Architecture Description Language (DSOPL-ADL), specifies dynamic reconfigurations at architecture level besides specifying structural, variability and context information. Among several specified variable configurations at architecture level, one concrete configuration is generated at runtime triggered by a context value. Furthermore, an implementation code can be automatically generated from the architectural description.

NDN architectures in VANET scenario

Abstract: Named Data Networking is a new data centric kind of communication network. This paper shows the study about NDN network and applies this architecture over Vehicular ad-hoc networks so that performance of network improves and communication becomes faster. At the end of simulation results are discussed in the form of packet delivery ratio, throughput, good put, routing overhead and various network parameters. Finally problems are elaborated as security issues, redundancy issue problem are discussed, and a suitable solution is proposed with using trust function. Thus security of the network is increased and the redundancy issue is also resolved up to some extent.

A Web-Based Reference Architecture for Mobile Learning: Its Quality Aspects and Evaluation

Abstract: This paper discusses the development process and evaluation of a reference software architecture within the field of mobile learning. The architecture implements the workflow of preparation – activity – analysis & reflection of (data collection) activities supported by mobile applications. A number of challenges, like portability, flexibility, or expandability are important to address in mobile learning. To overcome the mentioned challenges in this field, we are proposing a web-based architecture that is supposed to serve as a foundation for the development of software solutions in the field of mobile learning. We discuss scenario descriptions needed for the evaluation and present three implementations in this field that serve as candidate architectures. With the support of those candidates, the reference architecture is proposed. Important system quality attributes are identified and then applied for an evaluation of the architecture using the SAAM method. We conclude by discussing that the proposed architecture does not only fit the field of mobile learning but can also be adapted to a general solution regarding the workflow of: preparation – activity – analysis & reflection of mobile (data collection) applications.

Recognition of the Elements of Power in Ancient Architecture

Abstract: Whenever man defines power, it means the condition that the individual would be able to do something with it. However, according to sociologists, power refers to various perspectives. In this study, “power in political sociology” has been discussed and according to Bertrand Russell, power has been interpreted on the basis of its effects and in this perspective, it is dated past and it has made its way within architecture over the timed and it was initially proposed for monumental architecture. This simple structure represented the power of kings through their tombs and it has been gradually more complex. Then, in 1849, John Ruskin introduced The Seven Lamps of Architecture and he almost recognized power as the most important and influential relation between an architectural idea and its observer. The study aimed to recognize the elements of power in architecture. Firstly, power and its types and also, those parts of its may include architecture according to sociology were examined and finally, those indicators and elements which can be referred as the elements of power in architecture, were recognized and categorized studying global works registered in the UNESCO. In the present study, the research methodology is qualitative and it was performed through content analysis using library studies.

Architecture conformance checking with description logics

Abstract: Today, a lot of commercial and open source tools exist allowing to describe the intended architecture and to check architecture conformance automatically in order to detect and eventually minimize erosion. Unfortunately, those tools are restricted in terms of which architecture concepts can be used in order to describe the intended architecture. Additionally, those approaches lack an appropriate formal foundation in terms of a well-defined syntax and semantic. Nevertheless, this is a crucial requirement for automatic support in architecture conformance checking. In this paper, we propose a formal approach enabling a) the definition of an architecture concept language that allows to capture the most important architecture concepts and their related architecture rules, b) the validation of the consistency of this language, c) the mapping of architecture concepts to source code and capturing this mapping in an explicit language in order to d) check architecture conformance. We also present an evaluation of the approach using the Common Component Modeling Example (CoCoME) case study in order to demonstrate the applicability.

Towards ontology-based software architecture representations

Abstract: In order to support a community-wide infrastructure for software architecture research and collaboration, an essential requirement is interoperability of architecture descriptions and representations at both syntactic and semantic levels. Previous research efforts in using various architecture description languages (ADL) have not met this requirement in part due to the lack of standardization, supporting tools, and industry acceptance. This paper makes a case for leveraging the Web Ontology Language (OWL) standard from the Semantic Web community as an underpinning medium for architecture representation and interchange. The paper presents a high level framework for modeling software architectures with ontologies that can be used not only for architecture description and maintenance, but also automated reasoning and analysis of architectural concerns. Illustrative examples for some use cases are given using a simple architecture ontology. With its wide adoption and a rich set of supporting tools, the OWL standard can help rally the academic community around a common platform, as well as bridging the gap with the software industry at large.

Architecture modularisation for next generation mobile networks

Abstract: The journey towards the deployment of next generation networks has recently accelerated, driven by the joint effort of research and standards organisations. Some key innovative design concepts have been recently consolidating and are going to characterise the notable discontinuity between 4G and 5G systems. Among those, Architecture Modularisation, discussed in this paper, is regarded by the authors as the essential design principle to build a flexible network architecture natively supporting Network Slicing. According to this concept, conventional monolithic network functions, often corresponding to physical network elements in the existing systems, are to be split into basic building blocks defined with the proper granularity, allowing the definition of different logical architectures, tailored to 5G use cases. In this paper, a modularisation methodology is presented as a criterion to define the ‘right’ set of basic building blocks. Defined through this proposed methodology, the set of basic building blocks and the relating interfacing models are discussed. The paper concludes by proposing a candidate modular 5G network architecture, and comparing it with alternatives currently discussed within 3GPP standard working groups.

Challenges of Modern Query Processing

Abstract: Efficient query processing plays a critical role in numerous settings especially in case of data centric applications. Starting from the architecture to the final stage of result compilation a query processing system has to undertake several challenges. In this paper, we compare different architectures and existing approaches of query processing. In modern days, database systems have to deal with data distribution. To make challenges more complex, the participating databases might be heterogeneous in nature. In this paper, we discuss various challenges of query processing systems in centralized, distributed, and multidatabase backgrounds. We also analyze various parameters and metrics that directly impact query processing.

Towards a well-formed software architecture analysis

Abstract: Over the past decade Software Architecture has proved to be a core component in software development processes. Therefore, the correctness of the software architecture is unsurprisingly crucial for the success of software products. Many methods for analyzing software architecture have been proposed in the literature in order to predict potential risks that impose far-reaching effects on the final product. However, almost none of these methods have been adopted in the industry as many of them require special knowledge or are simply not intuitive enough for the software developer. In this paper, we address this issue by proposing (the first step of) a framework for analyzing software architecture that is built using a semi-formal architecture description language (ADL), and a constraint based relational model. Architecture instances following our approach are then analyzed against a set of properties such as whether the architecture is complete, self-sufficient and self-contained. Satisfying these properties yields a well-formed architecture.

An Architecture Viewpoint for Modeling Dynamically Configurable Software Systems

Abstract: Current software systems are rarely static and need to be able to change their topology and behavior to the changing context. To support the communication among stakeholders, guide the design decisions, and analyze the architecture it is important to model the adaptability concerns explicitly. In practice, architectural concerns are represented using architecture views that are derived from the corresponding architecture viewpoints. Different software architecture viewpoints have been introduced but runtime adaptability has not been broadly considered and remains implicit in the architecture views. In this paper we introduce the adaptability viewpoint that can be used for modeling dynamically configurable software architectures. We illustrate the viewpoint for a demand-driven supply chain management system.

Behavioral Verification of Service Component Architecture

Abstract: Currently,much research looks at treating the behavior properties beginning with the architectural design phase in SCA (Software Component Architectures) based applications. In this paper,we propose to map SCA onto the Wright ADL in order to verifythe behavioral consistency of SCA software architectures. To achieve this goal, we suggesttranslating this source software architecture into a Wright configuration. Using Wr2fdrtool, this Wright configuration can be automatically translated to a CSP specificationacceptable by the FDR2 model-checker.

A database-centric architecture for interactive storytelling

Abstract: In this study, we propose a system design for interactive narrative generation which uses database for information exchange among system sub-modules. We present database schema design and a simple example to show how our approach works. We conclude with our future work.

A Semantic Framework for Architecture Modelling

Abstract: Architectures are common means for organising coordination between components in order to build complex systems and to make them manageable. They allow thinking on a higher plane and avoiding low-level mistakes. Architectures provide means for ensuring correctness-by-construction by enforcing global properties characterising the coordination between components. In this work, we consider the following questions of architecture modelling: 1) how to model architectures; 2) how to compose them if several properties enforced by different architectures are required; 3) how to specify architectures styles that generalise the notion of architectures and represent families of architectures satisfying the same property. An architecture can be considered as an operator that, applied to a set of components, builds a composite component meeting a characteristic property. The underlying concepts of components and their interaction originate from the BIP framework. This thesis is structured in two parts. In the first part, we study the expressiveness of glue operators in the BIP framework. We provide results for classical BIP glue and for several modifications obtained by relaxing the constraints imposed on priority models. We also study an alternative semantics of BIP glue based on the offer predicate. It meets fundamental properties required from component-based frameworks, namely compositionality, incrementality, flattening and modularity. We provide the comparison with the classical BIP semantics and the algorithm for the synthesis of connectors from the interaction logic used to describe coordination constraints. In the second part, we define architectures and propose an architecture composition operator. We study their properties and prove that the composition operator preserves safety properties of its operands. The alternative glue semantics presented in the first part of the thesis allows to extend architectures with priorities. For the specification of architecture styles, we propose configuration logics. We provide a sound and complete axiomatisation of the propositional configuration logic as well as decision procedures for checking that an architecture satisfies a given logical specification. To allow genericity of specifications, we study higher-order extensions of the propositional configuration logic. We illustrate with examples the specification of various architecture styles. We provide an experimental evaluation using the Maude rewriting system to implement the decision procedure for configuration logics. Additionally, we study the relation between the architecture composition operator and the composition of configuration logic formulas.

Architecture-based design for multi-body simulation of complex systems

Abstract: As the complexity of high-tech systems continuously increases, engineers look for possibilities to reduce time and cost of the development of these systems. Architecture- based design enables a front-loaded design process with knowledge reuse. By enabling the automatic synthesis of simulation models, different configurations of an architecture can be realized and simulated efficiently. Current practices are found in the automotive and aerospace industry where architecture- based design is used for the automatic synthesis of multi-physics simulation models. In this way, different architecture options and simulation model variations can be efficiently investigated early in the development process. Multi-body simulations are also frequently used in the conceptual design of complex mechatronic systems. However a suitable methodology to synthesize their simulation models is lacking. This paper demonstrates that an architecture-based design approach can be used for the automatic synthesis of multi-body simulation models and a methodology is proposed to efficiently model and synthesize them. However, due to the geometric constraints, geometrical dependencies have been introduced between the sub-systems which requires a correct synthesis sequence that needs to be determined by solving a topological sorting problem. Subsequently, the methodology was evaluated with the conceptual design of an aircraft trailing-edge high-lift system. It was found that, concerning the time efficiency of the proposed approach, a trade-off needs to be made between the time that is saved by the automatic synthesis of simulation models and the time it takes to create the architectures and compatible subsystem models. Finally, the research suggests that an architecture-based design approach can be used for a diverse set of design problems involving different domain specific engineering tools. Therefore, the applicability is not limited to aerospace industry and it can as well bring advantages to other industries where the investigation of conceptual designs is an important but time-intensive activity.