Evolution of architectural design representations

A description is given of extensions to structure design making the diagrams more helpful to reviewers during walkthroughs. A machine-processable textual representation of a structure diagram, called an HSpec, is presented. The extensions also provide the additional information needed for an automatic transformation to the initial algebra designed by J. Tse (1986). His algebra allows the comparison of different design models. It is shown that the textual, frame-based HSpec is well suited for machine analysis and for assisting in human interpretation. The graphical depiction of the structure chart is better for quick human assimilation of software designs. Trial-and-error work continues to improve the communication and representation capabilities of software documents