Visualization Support for Software Product Line Modeling

Abstract

Product derivation from a product line model is a central activity in product line requirements engineer- ing. A product line framework and/or approach should provide sophisticated visualization and product deriva- tion support, otherwise large product lines become very hard to handle. In this paper we first present how we can benefit from existing single-system visualiza- tion techniques in product lines. Then we introduce new visualization aids and concepts that support the analysis of variability and the derivation of products in software product line engineering. We expect that these new visual support mechanisms will significantly ease the work of stakeholders and requirements engi- neers when negotiating a new product based on a software product line.