This paper reports on an exploratory study of how the architecture of a software product evolves over time. Because software is embedded in many of today’s complex products, and it is prone to relatively rapid change, it is instructive to study software architecture evolution for general insights into product design. We use metrics to capture the intrinsic complexity of software architectures as they evolve through successive generations (version releases). We introduce a set of product representations and metrics that take into account two important features used to manage the complexity in software products: layers and modules. We also capture organizational data associated with the product under development. We propose a three-step approach for the analysis and illustrate it using successive versions of an open source product, Ant. One of our findings is that software architectures seem to evolve in a non-linear manner similar to the S-shaped curve that characterizes technology evolution at the industry level. We also find several parallel patterns among architectural and organizational dynamics. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Skip Nav Destination
ASME 2007 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference
September 4–7, 2007
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Conference Sponsors:
- Design Engineering Division and Computers and Information in Engineering Division
ISBN:
0-7918-4804-3
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
Studying the Dynamics of the Architecture of Software Products
Manuel E. Sosa,
Manuel E. Sosa
INSEAD, Fontainebleau, France
Search for other works by this author on:
Tyson Browning,
Tyson Browning
Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX
Search for other works by this author on:
Ju¨rgen Mihm
Ju¨rgen Mihm
INSEAD, Fontainebleau, France
Search for other works by this author on:
Manuel E. Sosa
INSEAD, Fontainebleau, France
Tyson Browning
Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX
Ju¨rgen Mihm
INSEAD, Fontainebleau, France
Paper No:
DETC2007-34761, pp. 329-342; 14 pages
Published Online:
May 20, 2009
Citation
Sosa, ME, Browning, T, & Mihm, J. "Studying the Dynamics of the Architecture of Software Products." Proceedings of the ASME 2007 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference. Volume 3: 19th International Conference on Design Theory and Methodology; 1st International Conference on Micro- and Nanosystems; and 9th International Conference on Advanced Vehicle Tire Technologies, Parts A and B. Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. September 4–7, 2007. pp. 329-342. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/DETC2007-34761
Download citation file:
5
Views
0
Citations
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Articles
A Numerical/Experimental Approach to Software Development for Thermoforming Simulations (Survey Paper)
J. Pressure Vessel Technol (February,1991)
Enhancement of Peripheral Stents Reliability: Developing Interactive Procedure Planning by Means of Numerical Simulations and Clinical Software Development
J. Med. Devices (December,2013)
Modelling Dispersed Two-Phase Flows: Closure, Validation and Software Development
Appl. Mech. Rev (June,1994)
Related Chapters
A Case for Agile
Fundamentals of Agile Project Management: An Overview
Scrum Demystified
Fundamentals of Agile Project Management: An Overview
Development of Electronic Learning Industrial Environment (eLIN) System for Requirement Engineering Education
International Conference on Computer Technology and Development, 3rd (ICCTD 2011)