On Formal Models and Deriving Metrics for Service-Oriented Architecture

Whereas the research in service-oriented architecture (SOA) in general is well-past the early phase, the research in the area of architectural or quality metrics for SOA is still in the early stages. A number of formal models for SOA have been proposed in the literature, and many metrics have been derived from them. This paper serves to project that such a recurrence of formal-model-proposals is not of such a magnitude as to be characterized as multiplicity or excess, and that a certain degree of proliferation is a welcome sign, and will only aid an increased understanding of SOA, rather than impede the same in any way. To support this entire view, this paper discusses the important existing formal models, associated metrics, and demonstrates that these models themselves are a fertile ground to create newer metrics. Thereby, it presents many new metrics, and discusses future research possibilities.