Multi-Dimensional Variability Modeling

Marko Rosenmüller, Norbert Siegmund, Thomas Thüm, Gunter Saake. Multi-Dimensional Variability Modeling. In Proceedings of the Workshop on Variability Modelling of Software-intensive Systems (VaMoS). pages 11-20, ACM, 2011.

Abstract

The variability of a software product line (SPL) is often described with a feature model. To avoid highly complex models, stakeholders usually try to separate di erent variability dimensions, such as domain variability and implementation variability. This results in distinct variability models, which are easier to handle than one large model. On the other hand, it is sometimes required to analyze the variability dimensions of an SPL in combination using a single model only. To combine separate modeling and integrated analysis of variability, we present Velvet, a language for multi-dimensional variability modeling. Velvet allows stakeholders to model each variability dimension of an SPL separately and to compose the separated dimensions on demand. This improves reuse of feature models and supports independent modeling variability dimensions. Furthermore, Velvet integrates feature modeling and con guration in a single language. The combination of both concepts creates further reuse opportunities and allows stakeholders to independently con gure variability dimensions.