Studying Software Architecture Through Design Spaces and Rules
• SEI Report
Publisher
Software Engineering Institute
CMU/SEI Report Number
CMU/SEI-90-TR-018Topic or Tag
Abstract
This report argues that the overall structure of software systems (software architecture) is usefully studied by constructing design spaces. A design space identifies the key functional and structural choices made in creating a system design, and it classifies the alternatives available for each choice. Rules can be formulated to relate choices within a design space. Sets of such rules are a valuable design aid and offer a promising route to automatic structural design. By codifying design practice, design spaces can also aid software maintenance and training. To support this argument, the report describes a design space and associated rules for user interface software, and it discusses an experiment that validated these design rules by comparing their predictions to real system designs.
Cite This SEI Report
Lane, T. (1990, November 1). Studying Software Architecture Through Design Spaces and Rules. (SEI Report CMU/SEI-90-TR-018). Retrieved January 27, 2026, from https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/studying-software-architecture-through-design-spaces-and-rules/.
@techreport{lane_1990,
author={Lane, Thomas},
title={Studying Software Architecture Through Design Spaces and Rules},
month={{Nov},
year={{1990},
number={{CMU/SEI-90-TR-018},
howpublished={Carnegie Mellon University, Software Engineering Institute's Digital Library},
url={https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/studying-software-architecture-through-design-spaces-and-rules/},
note={Accessed: 2026-Jan-27}
}
Lane, Thomas. "Studying Software Architecture Through Design Spaces and Rules." (CMU/SEI-90-TR-018). Carnegie Mellon University, Software Engineering Institute's Digital Library. Software Engineering Institute, November 1, 1990. https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/studying-software-architecture-through-design-spaces-and-rules/.
T. Lane, "Studying Software Architecture Through Design Spaces and Rules," Carnegie Mellon University, Software Engineering Institute's Digital Library. Software Engineering Institute, SEI Report CMU/SEI-90-TR-018, 1-Nov-1990 [Online]. Available: https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/studying-software-architecture-through-design-spaces-and-rules/. [Accessed: 27-Jan-2026].
Lane, Thomas. "Studying Software Architecture Through Design Spaces and Rules." (SEI Report CMU/SEI-90-TR-018). Carnegie Mellon University, Software Engineering Institute's Digital Library, Software Engineering Institute, 1 Nov. 1990. https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/studying-software-architecture-through-design-spaces-and-rules/. Accessed 27 Jan. 2026.
Lane, Thomas. Studying Software Architecture Through Design Spaces and Rules. CMU/SEI-90-TR-018. Software Engineering Institute. 1990. https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/studying-software-architecture-through-design-spaces-and-rules/