Hexagonal Architecture

• Presenter: Kevin Rutherford
• Type: Thinktank
• Duration: 60 minutes
• Audience: Developers and architects; apprentices, journeymen and experts.

Abstract

Alistair Cockburn introduced the "hexagonal" model of system architecture in the C2 wiki (http://c2.com/cgi/wiki?HexagonalArchitecture) in 1998. Instead of looking at a system in terms of specialist layers, a Hexagonal Architecture models the system in terms of the things that the domain objects are connected to in the real world.

This think-tank will look at the consequences of taking this view of a system. What are the consequences for designers and developers? What are the characteristics of objects in the inner and outer hexagons? What are the limitations of the hexagonal vs. layered models?

Benefits of attending

Participants will have a new tool for visualising, communicating and organising system architectures.

What will the organiser learn

I understand a few of the consequences of the hexagonal view already (see my blog, for example), but I know there are many areas I haven't yet looked at. I would also like the participants to publish a catalogue.

Session Outline

• 0-5 mins Warm-up, followed by intro to hexagonal architecture
• 5-10 mins Organiser presents a few characteristics of the model
• 10-50 mins Round table discussion of the model
• 50-60 mins Summary and poster creation