Evaluating domain design approaches using systematic review

Abstract

Software Product Lines are growing as a systematic way for achieving reuse in software companies. It involves three processes: domain engineering, application engineering and management. In domain engineering, assets that will be reused by products are developed, composing the core assets. In this context, the product line architecture, also called Domain Specific Software Architecture (DSSA), is an essential member in the collection of core assets. A good DSSA increases the probability of the success of applications that will be instantiated from it. In order to design a good DSSA, a process should be followed to manage domain's variability and commonality. On the other hand, companies that are moving from single system development to software product lines need systematic activities for taking advantage of existing assets to develop a DSSA. Thus, this paper presents a systematic review on domain design approaches, which can be useful for companies to understand the current scenario, and to choose a more suitable one or adapt them for their needs. © 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.