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Repository vs. Blackboard

publish date: 2026/06/10 21:07:23.768611 UTC

volume_mute

In a Repository pattern, the repository can be either passive or active (blackboard model). Which of the following correctly distinguishes these two variants?

Passive: control is the responsibility of the components using the repository; Active (blackboard): components are triggered when particular data becomes available in the repository

Passive: components are triggered when data they need becomes available; Active (blackboard): control is the responsibility of the components using the repository

Both variants work identically — the terms are interchangeable

Passive repositories are only used in AI systems; active repositories are only used in databases

Correct Answer

Passive: control is the responsibility of the components using the repository; Active (blackboard): components are triggered when particular data becomes available in the repository

Explanation

In the passive repository model, control is the responsibility of the components using the repository (as in the IDE example). The blackboard (active) model triggers components when particular data becomes available — this is appropriate when the form of the repository data is less well structured and decisions about which tool to activate can only be made when the data has been analyzed.

Reference

Software Engineering, Ian Sommerville, 10th edition

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