Supporting the partitioning of distributed systems with Function-Class Decomposition

Function-Class Decomposition is a hybrid method that integrates structured analysis with an object oriented approach to decompose a system. The task of class identification is performed in parallel to the decomposition of the system into a hierarchy of functional modules. This hierarchy provides the infrastructure for a systematic approach to partitioning components for distribution and for evaluating key attributes of the resulting architecture. Complexity is reduced by the fact that partitioning decisions are made along the boundaries of previously identified groupings. Early evaluation of the resulting component distribution is also a key factor in mitigating the risks associated with developing distributed applications.