Problem frames and object-oriented software architecture

The paper attempts to marry object oriented software architecture with M. Jackson´s (1995) “problem frames”. Jackson´s problem frames follow from his perception that many systemic problems in modern software development can be addressed by a greater problem space orientation during system specification and analysis, and a clearer separation of problem and solution space concerns during design and implementation. The author attempts an experimental union of problem space and object oriented architecture by adopting Jackson´s generic problem structural patterns, problem frames, as the principal structural driver of an object oriented architecture. Problem frames bring with them a detailed method for solving problems of the corresponding class; the paper extends one problem frame´s method to include a basic object oriented framework to provide a reference software architecture. The problem frame´s reference architecture is evaluated by applying it to the design of a typical business component. The characteristics of the resultant architecture are then evaluated