Dynamic re-configuration of software product lines towards an exploratory study on DSPLs

Abstract

Adaptations need to be considered at design-time (adapting complex systems to new technologies, reengineering due to new regulations etc.), but also during runtime (e.g. new emerging functional and non-functional requirement, context-specific decisions). Objective: I use SPLs as a strategy for coping with uncertainty and adapting to change, where conventionally change occurs in the requirements of the software product lines' market. Our idea is to design a variability mechanism in the domain of dynamic software product lines engineering in order to enable continuous evolution and adaptation of the software product lines at run-time. Method: I investigate dynamic change propagation of SPLs at run-time through an explorative study. A literature review and semistructured personal interviews with relevant actors in the domain of SPLs are the fundament of our research. This analysis enables us to understand how SPLs are dynamically adapted and evolved in practice. Conclusion: This study will give us an overview of the domain of DSPLs and allows us to identify the research gap regarding run-time adaptation and evolution of SPLs.