Step 1: extract
The software architecture description is extracted from the software (source code, implementation environment, naming and coding conventions, etcetera) and from the architects by conducting interviews. We first have to define what such a software architecture description is. In general, it describes the relations between so-called design entities, for instance a use relation. Design entities are levels of abstraction that constitute some form of hierarchy or part-of relation, like layers, components, modules, functions. Each software architecture has its own terminology. The result of the extract step is an RPA model.
Step 2a: evaluate
The RPA model is evaluated. The evaluation gives an image of the software architecture as it is reflected by the RPA model of the software. Metrics corresponding to quality aspects can be calculated. Also, structures can be visualised, for instance using box-arrow diagrams. The architect can now form ideas on how to change the RPA model in order to improve one or more of the quality aspects. Although actions like calculating metrics and building structure diagrams can be automated, the actual decisions must be made in an interactive process with the architect.
Step 2b: change
Changes are made in the RPA model. Making changes in an abstract model of the software (like RPA) makes it easier to try out ideas, rather than make the changes in the software directly. The results are available more quickly and the software is not corrupted in the process. The architect can try different changes and use backtracking if a change does not lead to the desired improvement of the software architecture. A subsequent evaluate step results in metrics or diagrams of the new model that can be compared with the old model. Several changes can be stacked by repetitively executing a change followed by an evaluate step.
Step 3: submit
The changes that have been made in the RPA model are now used to submit a recipe. A recipe is an ordered list of transformations that have to be performed on the software. Once we have developed a set of basic transformations for each useful change in the RPA model, the submit step is rather trivial. Finding good basic transformations will be a major topic of future research. The architect can decide to submit several of these recipes, before starting the transform step. However, eventually the recipes must be executed in the order of their creation.
Step 4: transform
A recipe is used to transform the software. The basic transformations in the recipe are executed in the order of their occurrence. In the implementation, each of these basic transformations can be subdivided into several language-dependent transformations. Automating the transform step of the software architecture improvement process eliminates errors otherwise caused by humans and is much faster.
Once the transform step has been completed for all recipes, the software again reflects the RPA model in such a way as if the RPA model had been extracted from the changed software. The process for software architecture improvement can start again, but the extract step can now be skipped, on the assumption that the tool-chain is error-free. Note that by logging the transformations made in the software, the architect can present the changes to the software crew responsible for maintenance.
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