A SOFTWARE ARCHITECTURE OPTIMIZING MODULARITY

摘要

In a module-based software architecture, the impact of module replacement or removal is minimized by using an indirect calling technique. Where interactions between modules (M0-M4) are considered in terms of a client/server relationship, a server module (e.g. M3) is called by a client module (e.g. M1) using the server module's reference ( & M3). The reference ( & M3) of the module to be called (M3) is supplied as an input to the client module (M1). Each module is adapted to recognize as a null reference an input parameter taking a predetermined value. When the module to be called is identified by a null reference no call is made to that module.