Abstract

 
 
 A discrete event simulation model for evaluating quality attributes, employing the software architecture, is proposed in this work. A metamodel of the software architecture domain that includes the concepts required for measuring quality attributes at runtime is specified. So, a simulation model is built from it, following the principles of hierarchy and modularity, assembling simple blocks to obtain complex blocks. DEVS framework is applied to obtain a decoupled model from the simulator, and the DEVS formalism is used to specify the elements of the simulation model.
 The objective of this approach is to provide information about the quality attributes that can be measured at runtime, introducing the discrete event simulation in the context of the software architecture design. This quantitative information will assist the architect to make decisions about the design of the system.
 
 
Highlights
Today, in the software industry is known that architectural design is very important to build a final product that satisfies user requirements
We focus on the simulation model for analyzing quality attributes that can be measured at runtime, including functional aspects in the software architecture
Discrete event simulation applied to measure quality attributes using the software architecture of the system has the following items to be analyzed: i) it provides an overview of the performance of the system, ii) it allows a study of the behavior of the system and its elements, iii) its outputs include measures, such as throughput and time around, iv) it is a flexible approach, and it could be adapted to new situations, such as adding other quality aspects to be considered in the evaluation
Summary
In the software industry is known that architectural design is very important to build a final product that satisfies user requirements. There are techniques that are based on scenarios (for example, Use Case Maps- UCM, [6]) in combination with formalisms such as Markov Process or Queueing Theory to evaluate quality attributes [7]. Its techniques have been successfully applied in other design domains due to its capability to model dynamic complex systems In this way, we present a novel approach based on discrete event theory in order to simulate software products using the software architecture. DEVS represents elements in a modular and hierarchical way and provides a powerful level of abstraction, expression and organization These characteristics are suitable to represent concepts of software architecture and their relationships, providing scalability to the simulation model and a formal support without extra costs of implementing components at early stage of the development.
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