A Framework for dynamic updating in component-based software systems

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Date
2009
Authors
Mohammed Alhazbi, Saleh
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Abstract
Every software system needs to be updated over time for different reasons such as fixing bugs, upgrading its components, or adapting the system in response to its environment's changes. Traditionally, software systems must be shut down in order to perform the modifications. This is not suitable for long-time running systems such as banking or telecommunications systems, or mission-critical systems such as air-traffic controllers. Therefore, this type of systems should be updated dynamically. However, there are different risks with online updating which would crash the system or affect its reliability This thesis presents a new model and framework to develop component-based software systems that can be updated dynamically and safely. The framework facilitates components integration by introducing soft bus concept. All components in the system are attached to a special software entity that works similarly as hardware bus. The soft bus routes messages between system's components. The proposed framework addresses the possible risks of dynamic updating and allows system to be rolled back after updating in case of failure. To show the viability of our solution, the framework was implemented using Java programming language. Experiments show that using indirect communication between components adds overhead performance in average of 30%.
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Keywords
Dynamic updating , Software system
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