Implementing Product-Line Features by Composing Aspects

Abstract

Emerging E-Commerce systems are highly dynamic and require even more flexibility and reduced time to market than that traditionally provided by product-line and component-based development (CBSE). In this paper we describe our work on agent-based product-line CBSE for flexible e-commerce systems. We are integrating several technologies for product-line analysis and component design, implementation and customization to create a basis for systematic product-line development. Largely independent work on reuse ("domain analysis") and object-oriented technology ("design and code") has matured to the degree that integration of the techniques promises a coherent approach. We outline a practical development process that structures a set of common and variable features supporting a product-line, to produce reusable elements ("aspects") that can be combined into customized components and frameworks to support the product-line.