An architecture definition describes the configuration of an application under SCLM control and how it is to be constructed and integrated. Architecture definitions are created and updated by the developers and describe the architecture of an application. They provide specifications to the Build function for data generation, and to the Promote function for the movement of data from one group to another. Architecture definitions can reference other architecture definitions, thus providing a simple building block tool for complex application definitions.

• Data Generation
  Architecture definitions can specify the following information to the build function:

  • Where inputs to translators (for example, compilers) are to come from
  • Where outputs from translators are to be stored
  • What parameters are needed by a translator

  A single architecture definition can specify all the data generation to occur for a large, complex application simply by referencing other architecture definitions.

• Data Movement

  All data that is directly or indirectly referenced by an architecture definition is promoted when that architecture definition is promoted. This encompasses included architecture definitions, along with the system components they describe. Thus, specifying a single high-level architecture definition for promotion can cause an entire application to be promoted.