Every architecture description needs a framework: Expressing architecture frameworks using ISO/IEC 42010

The current draft revision of ISO/IEC 42010 (IEEE Std 1471) proposes a formalization of architecture framework within the ontology of the standard. This paper discusses the origin of the concept, motivates its standardization in ISO/IEC 42010, and argues that a well-defined architecture framework should be a key component of any architecture description. The paper describes the application of the proposed construct to several well-known architecture frameworks.