Subsystems

In Almware, a subsystem is a software component that operates independently from other parts of the system. It is necessary for fulfilling certain software requirements and works together with other subsystems. Subsystems were initially created in Almware to keep internal applications or services separate. They can also be used to keep smaller components isolated, especially when their requirements need to be distinct from others.

Examples

A subsystem can be a distinct software module, such as:

• A web application (frontend) that operates as a single-page application (SPA) and communicates with a backend via an API; 
• A mobile app that interacts with a backend through an API; 
• A monolithic backend application; 
• Independent services (microservices) that perform specific system functions;

A subsystem can also be a smaller software component that isn't standalone, like a WYSIWYG editor developed as a separate library.

Versioning

Almware supports versioning for subsystems. While versioning is not essential for basic requirements management, it offers extra benefits for managing requirements and projects:

• It links requirements and their implementation status to a specific version of a subsystem, providing a history of when a feature was added. 
• It helps in testing by associating found issues with a particular version. 
• It tracks changes in the source code that might impact the results of past tests on a specific software version.

Subsystem API

A subsystem can have one or more API namespaces that define its software interfaces.

These namespaces organize API methods and other types of programming interfaces. API types can include traditional REST/SOAP/WebSocket-based APIs or custom implementations.

Future versions of Almware will offer integration with external API tools, such as Postman or OpenAPI, to synchronize API requests.

In the nearest versions of Almware the possibility of integration with external API tools (e.g. Postman or OpenAPI) for synchronisation of API requests will be available.

Source Code

Integration with version control system can be configured for the subsystem. Integration with a version control system will allow you to configure the subsystem's source code tracking to requirements. Integration setting is available in the ‘Integrations’ section in the project settings.