SScAC: Towards a framework for small-scale software architectures comparison

Abstract

We present a framework for small-scale software architecture comparison (SScAC). Although a considerable chunk of software architectures are developed in small teams, not much related work exists on this topic. The proposed framework introduces a method to formalize these comparisons and aims to be simple enough to be used in small-scale projects at the same time. Still we believe it is of sufficient complexity to support comparisons that take into account different aspects of solved problem. The main purpose of the framework is to ease certain architectural choices by giving the designer a reasoned recommendation based on previously specified requirements on system's qualities. It can also help validate the suitability of chosen design patterns. We show the practical use of the framework on case study solving architectural decision for Key Word In Context. © 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.