DSL-based support for semi-automated architectural component model abstraction throughout the software lifecycle

In this paper we present an approach for supporting the semi-automated abstraction of architectural models throughout the software lifecycle. It addresses the problem that the design and the implementation of a software system often drift apart as software systems evolve, leading to architectural knowledge evaporation. Our approach provides concepts and tool support for the semi-automatic abstraction of architectural knowledge from implemented systems and keeping the abstracted architectural knowledge up-to-date. In particular, we propose architecture abstraction concepts that are supported through a domain-specific language (DSL). Our main focus is on providing architectural abstraction specifications in the DSL that only need to be changed, if the architecture changes, but can tolerate non-architectural changes in the underlying source code. The DSL and its tools support abstracting the source code into UML component models for describing the architecture. Once the software architect has defined an architectural abstraction in the DSL, we can automatically generate UML component models from the source code and check whether the architectural design constraints are fulfilled by the models. Our approach supports full traceability between source code elements and architectural abstractions, and allows software architects to compare different versions of the generated UML component model with each other. We evaluate our research results by studying the evolution of architectural abstractions in different consecutive versions and the execution times for five existing open source systems.