On Abstraction Levels for Software Architecture Viewpoints.
Mikkel Baun Kjærgaard · 2005
In the field of software architecture the abstraction level of a viewpoint has often been defined on a scale from low to high. However, the definition of abstraction levels on a scale from low to high makes it very subjective what is at each level. This makes it difficult to apply the different existing viewpoints in practice, because each viewpoint can be applied at many different levels of abstraction which the architect has to consider. This also makes it hard for people to enter the field of software architecture and become proficient in using its techniques and methods. By using the three abstraction levels defined in this paper, viewpoints can be described more accurately and applied more consistently. This can help developers easier gain proficiency in the use of viewpoints to describe software architectures of systems. In this paper concepts which clarify the relation between the defined abstraction levels and viewpoints are also defined. Use of the three abstraction levels in practice will be illustrated by a case study which will present examples of viewpoints at the different levels. The role of the levels in connection with novice architects will also be discussed.