Architectural Design
Conception and Specification of Interactive Systems
This book presents a design methodology applicable to architectural design across various systems. It focuses on fundamental design concepts to specify the required functional properties of a system while abstracting from specific implementation functions and technologies. Abstraction and precision are crucial for understanding and representing complex systems at a high functional level. Once grasped, these concepts become natural and powerful, reflecting the essential functional behavior of a system. The initial chapters provide a global view on system design and interpretation of terms and meta-concepts, setting the context for the rest of the book. Subsequent chapters outline basic design concepts with illustrative examples, introducing language notations alongside these concepts. The later chapters delve into intricate design aspects of interactive systems, emphasizing their common functional goals, making them particularly relevant for those interested in designing protocols and interfaces. The didactic approach is ideal for graduate students aiming to develop insights and skills in complex system development, as well as industry practitioners responsible for designing large systems. The book includes numerous practical examples and engaging exercises with solutions.
