A formal approach to architectural design patterns

Abstract

In this paper we introduce a formal approach to architectural design patterns based on an object-oriented model integrated with a process-oriented method for describing the patterns. The object-oriented model is based on the Abstract Data View (ADV) concept, which is a formal model for subjectivity in that it explicitly distinguishes between two kinds of objects, namely application objects and object views. The formalism allows the definition and application of design patterns by considering both the process program for the pattern tasks and the interconnected objects and views resulting from a particular pattern instantiation. The approach can be used to describe design patterns at many different architectural levels, and this is illustrated by presenting patterns for the master-slave, pipes- and-filters, layered systems, adapter, observer, and composite.