Tool Mentor: Incorporating
Existing Design Elements Using Rational Software Architect
Purpose
This section provides links to additional information related to this tool mentor.
The steps in this tool mentor match those in the activity. Links to topics in RSA online help are marked with .
Overview
The following steps are performed in this tool mentor:
Additional Tool Information
Look for existing subsystems or components that offer similar interfaces. Some
assets may have been packaged for intentional reuse using the Reusable Asset
Specification (RAS). If created with RSA, such assets can be browsed and loaded
in RSA. See
Packaging Assets for Reuse
in the RSA online Help.
For assets that do not include an RSA model, it may be useful to reverse engineer
a model to better understand the design. Some of these components could be discovered
using the code visualization and the pattern/anti-pattern detection capabilities
which are part of the RSA support for Architectural Analysis. If the asset proves
to be usable, the diagrams will be the base for building or generating new model
elements and the asset might qualify as a RAS candidate. See the Architectural
Discovery, Analysis and Control guidelines.
For an asset that your company controls, there may be opportunities to make minor changes to a candidate interface which will improve its conformance to the desired interface.
For assets that your company does not control, you can create adapter or bridge design elements that map your desired interface onto interfaces provided by the assets reused.
See Tool Mentor: Identify Design Elements for guidelines on creating and modifying interfaces and classes.
Reorganize the design elements into packages as necessary.
Refer to the white paper: Model
Structure Guidelines for Rational Software Architect for more guidance on organizing the design model.
If there is a separate logical view, it needs to be maintained. See the white paper
Model Structure Guidelines for Rational Software Architect.
Tours:
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RAS
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Patterns
Tutorials:
-
Applying the XYZ Pattern
Samples:
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Model for Pattern Application
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Patterns
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