Designing and prototyping dynamic software product lines: Techniques and guidelines

Abstract

Dynamic Software Product Lines (DSPL) encompass systems that are capable of modifying their own configuration with respect to changes in their operating environment by using run-time reconfigurations. A failure in these reconfigurations can directly impact the user experience since the reconfigurations are performed when the system is already under the users control. Prototyping DSPLs at an early development stage can help to pinpoint potential issues and optimize design. In this work, we identify and addresses two challenges associated with the involvement of human subjects in DSPL prototyping: enabling DSPL users to (1) trigger the run-time reconfigurations and to (2) understand the effects of the reconfigurations. These techniques have been applied with the participation of human subjects by means of a Smart Hotel case study which was deployed with real devices. The application of these techniques reveals DSPL-design issues with recovering from a failed reconfiguration or a reconfiguration triggered by mistake. To address these issues, we discuss some guidelines learned in the Smart Hotel case study. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.