Specification Architecture Illustrated in a Communications Context

The concept of specification architecture is introduced, and its importance is emphasised. Three important architectural principles are offered as a way of achieving a satisfactory specification architecture: modularity, generality and simplicity. These are supported by subsidiary techniques that realise them. Criteria are identified to evaluate successful application of the techniques and conformance to the principles. The approach is illustrated throughout with the example of a message switch, culminating in a larger case study based on the work of the PANGLOSS project to design a high-speed message switch.