O uso de programação orientada a características para evolução de linhas de produtos de software

Abstract

Feature-oriented programming (FOP) is a programming technique based on composition mechanisms, called refinements. It is often assumed that the use of feature-oriented programming is better than other variability mechanisms for implementing Software Product Lines (SPLs). However, there is no empirical evidence to support this claim. In fact, recent research work found out that some composition mechanisms may degenerate the SPL modularity and stability. However, there is no study investigating these properties focusing on the FOP composition mechanisms. This work presents quantitative and qualitative analyses of how feature modularity and change propagation behaves in the context of an evolving SPL. The quantitative data is collected from two SPLs developed using three different variability mechanisms: FOP refinements, conditional compilation, and object-oriented design patterns. Our results suggest that FOP requires fewer changes in source code, yet a higher number of added modules, than the other techniques. It provides better support to non-intrusive insertions. Therefore, it adheres closer to the Open-Closed principle. Additionally, FOP seems to be more effective tackling modularity degeneration, by avoiding feature tangling and scattering in source code, than conditional compilation and design patterns.