Architectural Styles for Distribution Using Macro-Patterns for System Design

This paper highlights the problem of describing the software architecture of a distributed system, and introduces the Architectural Styles proposed by Shaw&Garlan as a possible solution. Using a pattern template, it explores four major styles for distribution architecture: Host-Terminal, Client-Server, Broadcast Data and Batch Communication. Introduction One major problem we find in building large software systems is the problem of talking about their structure. How do we discuss different ways of putting together system components? Currently we lack a sufficiently rich vocabulary. There is a very effective method to build up a vocabulary. We use narrative, examples, similes and references to build up new concepts in the mind of the reader, and then give this concept a name. From then on we can use the name in our discussions and documentation. I am aware of two leading researchers using this kind of approach: [Jackson] describes `Problem Frames' (structures for a system), and uses a ..