Abstract

The architecture of a software system defines its primary structural and
behavioural organization. A well designed and clearly documented
architecture is a crucial pre-requisite for the successful implementation of
a software system as well as for its subsequent evolution. In this talk, 
we examine how the new generation of model-based software engineering (MBSE)
methods and technologies can be exploited to facilitate the specification
and enforcement of software architectures. At the core of MBSE 
is the use of higher levels of abstraction and greater use of automation 
compared to more traditional development approaches.

The talk commences with a brief introduction to the topic of software architecture 
and related technical issues and challenges. Next, we examine 
some of the key features of MBSE, explaining why it is such a promising approach 
to software development. Finally, we bring the two together and demonstrate 
how common architectural patterns can be expressed using the industry standard 
UML 2 modeling language. We also explain how MBSE can be used 
to eliminate the nefarious and serious problem of “architectural decay”.