Software Architecture Patterns, 2nd Edition

Chapter 4. Microkernel Architecture

The microkernel architecture style is a flexible and extensible architecture that allows a developer or end user to easily add additional functionality and features to an existing application in the form of extensions, or “plug-ins,” without impacting the core functionality of the system. For this reason, the microkernel architecture is sometimes referred to as a “plug-in architecture” (another common name for this architecture style). This architecture style is a natural fit for product-based applications (ones that are packaged and made available for download in versions as a typical third-party product), but is also common for custom internal business applications. In fact, many operating systems implement the microkernel architecture style, hence the origin of this style’s name.

Topology

The microkernel architecture style consists of two types of architecture components: a core system and plug-in modules. Application logic is divided between independent plug-in modules and the basic core system, providing extensibility, flexibility, and isolation of application features and custom processing logic. Figure 4-1 illustrates the basic topology of the microkernel architecture style.

The core system of this architecture style can vary significantly in terms of the functionality it provides. Traditionally, the core system contains only the minimal functionality required to make the system operational (such as the case with older IDEs such as Eclipse), ...