Analysis of Software Product Line Architecture Representation Mechanisms

Representing commonality and variability in the software product line architectures requires extension of the existing representation mechanisms (RMs). Various RMs including Orthogonal Variability Model (OVM) or extensions of the UML notation have been proposed by the well-known software product line (SPL) engineering methods. However, there is no research that analyzes to what extent they can express commonality and variability. This paper conducts an analysis of two representative RMs for the SPL architecture. To that end, first, it surveys various SPL engineering methods and identifies the two common types of RMs: the orthogonal RM type and the integrated RM type. Then it selects a well-known specific RM for each type: the mechanism of Pohl et al. and the KobrA mechanism. Then for analysis of the RMs various perspectives are derived from the concepts in Orthogonal Variability Description Mechanism [4]. Finally, the RM of Pohl et al. and the KobrA method are analyzed from these analysis perspectives. We believe that these results of the analysis provide essential guidance for improving existing RMs for SPL architecture or for defining new RMs for SPL architecture.