Combining model-driven development and architectural design in the AR3L framework

Model-Driven Development (MDD) has the ultimate goal of producing code from some kind of analysis model, aiming at maximizing the automation of software development. However, it is difficult to inject in the MDD transformation process all the knowledge, skills and experiences that software architects have and which may be crucial when considering the satisfaction of system properties and constraints over the system-to-be. In this paper we propose the AR3L framework that integrates the software architect role into the MDD transformation process by recognizing the need of human interaction in an intermediate design phase that produces an architecture model. We focus on a particular domain, namely the development of Information Systems which, considering the current state of practice, determines the type of analysis model (object-oriented specification) and the target architecture pattern (3-layer architecture). We use responsibility-driven design as methodology driver. We present a proof-of-concept prototype implemented over the AndroMDA tool that shows the feasibility of our approach.Postprint (published version