| Software architecture studies have been perceived as a solution to the inherent difficulties in the development of large and complex systems based on component engineering. However, we still need to answer questions on how the entire software lifecycle is affected by an architecture-centric approach; how we conduct analysis and design in order to develop high quality software architecture; and how to capture software architecture as specification asset.; In order to address the above questions, a complete architecture-driven component-based software development methodology is introduced in this research. First, an architecture-driven software development process model is presented to overcome the shortcomings of the traditional process model for a component-based development approach where software architecture plays an important role. Then, a component-based analysis and design approach is presented for software architecture by designing and connecting reusable software components. Finally, an architectural component description language called I3, pronounced as I-cube, is introduced. I3 was developed to support Abstraction-Interface-Refinement (AIR) architecture design approach. I3 is an executable specification language based on the Colored Petri Net semantics with the specification style of Structured Analysis and Design Techniques (SADT). Moreover, it is equipped with modern software design philosophies including object-oriented and component-based approaches. |
