Documenting Software Architectures
John D. McGregor
Clemson University

View
A description of an architecture from a specific perspective.
All the wiring in a building is a view of the building from the perspective of the electrician.
Need multiple views
Need coordination among views

Documented View
Primary Presentation
Element Catalog
Context Diagram
Variability Guide
Architecture Background
Glossary of Terms
Other information

Element Interface Specification
Element Identity
Resources provided
Locally defined data types
Exception definitions
Variability provided
Quality attribute characteristics
Element requirements
Rationale and design issues
Usage guide

Documentation across views
How the document is organized
view catalog
view template
What the architecture is
system overview
mapping between views
list of elements and where they appear
project glossary
Why the architecture is the way it is
rationale