How to Define a Protocol for Object Transportation

In distributed systems, objects are transported and addressed via network connections. A protocol for object transportation helps to cross the mismatch between objects with state and behavior, and a flat transport presentation. There are different strategies for approaching such a protocol definition. The choice of an appropriate process does not only have a technical impact, but also determines management practices and influences the team structure. This paper introduces the two major definition process patterns, PROTOCOL-FIRST DESIGN and PROTOCOL-FOLLOWS-APPLICATION DESIGN. Their impacts on management, team structure, implementation, integration and maintenance are compared in detail. A number of definition practice patterns balance the strengths and weaknesses of the fundamental positions