On the use of feature-oriented programming for evolving software product lines — A comparative study

Feature-oriented programming (FOP) is a programming technique based on composition mechanisms, called refinements. It is often assumed that feature-oriented programming is more suitable than other variability mechanisms for implementing Software Product Lines (SPLs). However, there is no empirical e...

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Veröffentlicht in:Science of computer programming Jg. 93; S. 65 - 85
Hauptverfasser: Sousa Ferreira, Gabriel Coutinho, Gaia, Felipe Nunes, Figueiredo, Eduardo, de Almeida Maia, Marcelo
Format: Journal Article
Sprache:Englisch
Veröffentlicht: Elsevier B.V 01.11.2014
Schlagworte:
Conditional compilation
Design patterns
Feature-oriented programming
Software product lines
Variability management
Variability management
Conditional compilation
Design patterns
Software product lines
Feature-oriented programming
ISSN:0167-6423, 1872-7964
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Zusammenfassung:Feature-oriented programming (FOP) is a programming technique based on composition mechanisms, called refinements. It is often assumed that feature-oriented programming is more suitable than other variability mechanisms for implementing Software Product Lines (SPLs). However, there is no empirical evidence to support this claim. In fact, recent research work found out that some composition mechanisms might degenerate the SPL modularity and stability. However, there is no study investigating these properties focusing on the FOP composition mechanisms. This paper presents quantitative and qualitative analysis of how feature modularity and change propagation behave in the context of two evolving SPLs, namely WebStore and MobileMedia. Quantitative data have been collected from the SPLs developed in three different variability mechanisms: FOP refinements, conditional compilation, and object-oriented design patterns. Our results suggest that FOP requires few changes in source code and a balanced number of added modules, providing better support than other techniques for non-intrusive insertions. Therefore, it adheres closer to the Open–Closed principle. Additionally, FOP seems to be more effective tackling modularity degeneration, by avoiding feature tangling and scattering in source code, than conditional compilation and design patterns. These results are based not only on the variability mechanism itself, but also on careful SPL design. However, the aforementioned results are weaker when the design needs to cope with crosscutting and fine-grained features. •We provide an open benchmark for the analysis of modularity in evolving SPLs.•We provide a quantitative and qualitative evaluation of SPL variability mechanisms.•FOP and DP have shown better adherence to the Open–Closed Principle than CC.•In general, FOP was more effective tackling feature modularity degeneration.
ISSN:0167-6423
1872-7964
DOI:10.1016/j.scico.2013.10.010