A software product line approach for end user development of smart spaces

Abstract

Several End User Development (EUD) tools have been proposed that enable end users to create software applications for smart spaces. Even though most of the tools focus on architecture and usability they don't take into account the end user background. For instance some end users are domain experts, experienced software developers, and others have very limited computer skills. Furthermore current EUD approaches do not address reuse. In this paper we present XANA, an EUD framework that extends existing EUD tools with Software Product Line (SPL) concepts. The framework targets two types of users: the application designers and the end users. Application designers create the SPL for end users. End users select SPL features and derive applications for their smart spaces. XANA promotes reuse by allowing end users to reuse features and components to create applications. We illustrate its use with examples in a smart home setting.