Description:

Students will learn the foundations of normalized systems theory that studies the evolvability of modular structures based on concepts from engineering, such as stability from system theory and entropy from thermodynamics. Students will understand a set of principles that indicate where violations of stability and entropy-related issues occur in any given software architecture. In the second part of the course, students learn how to construct software architectures using a set of 5 design patterns called elements. These elements provide the core functionality of information systems in terms of storing data, executing actions, workflows, connectors, and triggers, while handling violations of the stability and entropy-related principles. This knowledge allows students to realize new levels of evolvability in software architectures.

Contents:

Course will be realized in a block (concentrated) form in the first or second week of May.
The main lecturer will be prof. Jan Verelst from University of Antwerp, co-author of the book Normalized Systems (see study materials)

1. (2) Engineering basics: stability in systems theory; entropy in statistical thermodynamics.
2. (3) Normalized Systems Theory: principles, elements.
3. (3) Normalized systems tools: expanders, Prime Radiant.
4. (3) Enterprise Engineering: applying the NS theory to enterprises.
5. (2) Reflection: applying the concepts from engineering to software and enterprises.

Seminar contents:

There are not exercises.

Recommended literature:

1. Mannaert, H. - Verelst, J. - De Bruyn, P. : Normalized systems theory : from foundations for evolvable software toward a general theory for evolvable design. Koppa, 2016. ISBN 978-90-77160-09-1.
2. Mannaert, H. - Verelst, J. : Normalized Systems: Re-creating Information Technology based on Laws for Software Evolvability. Koppa, 2009. ISBN 978-90-77160-00-8-S.
3. Ford, N. - Parsons, R.- Kua, P. : Building Evolutionary Architectures: Support Constant Change. O?Reilly Media, Inc., 2017. ISBN 978-1491986363.

Abbreviations used:

Semester:

• W ... winter semester (usually October - February)
• S ... spring semester (usually March - June)
• W,S ... both semesters

Mode of completion of the course:

• A ... Assessment (no grade is given to this course but credits are awarded. You will receive only P (Passed) of F (Failed) and number of credits)
• GA ... Graded Assessment (a grade is awarded for this course)
• EX ... Examination (a grade is awarded for this course)
• A, EX ... Examination (the award of Assessment is a precondition for taking the Examination in the given subject, a grade is awarded for this course)

Weekly load (hours per week):

• P ... lecture
• C ... seminar
• L ... laboratory
• R ... proseminar
• S ... seminar