P.3. Interfaces

Table of contents:

DEFINITION

An interface is a boundary across which two independent entities meet and interact or communicate with each other.

If you've been reading the sidebars, you've already encountered the term interface several times. This term is widely used when describing software elements and can mean many different things to different people. The term is so important when documenting software architecture that we have devoted Chapter 7 to the subject.

It is both possible and likely that an entity will have more than one interface through which it interacts or communicates. An interface is more than a list of its available services. Ideally, an interface specification should provide enough information to avoid unexpected interactions that can occur because of assumptions an entity makes about either the environment in which it is to be placed or the entities with which it interacts.

Software Architectures and Documentation

Part I. Software Architecture Viewtypes and Styles

The Module Viewtype

Styles of the Module Viewtype

The Component-and-Connector Viewtype

Styles of the Component-and-Connector Viewtype

The Allocation Viewtype and Styles

Part II. Software Architecture Documentation in Practice

Advanced Concepts

Documenting Software Interfaces

Documenting Behavior

Choosing the Views

Building the Documentation Package

Other Views and Beyond

Rationale, Background, and Design Constraints

References



Documenting Software Architectures(c) Views and Beyond
Documenting Software Architectures: Views and Beyond
ISBN: 0201703726
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2005
Pages: 152

Flylib.com © 2008-2020.
If you may any questions please contact us: flylib@qtcs.net