An Approach for Representing Domain Requirements and Domain Architecture in Software Product Line

Abstract

Software Product Line (SPL) core assets development is an effective approach in software reuse in which core assets can be shared among the members of the product line with an explicit treatment of variability. Among the artefacts of core asset are architecture, reusable software components, domain models, requirements statements, documentation and specifications, performance models, schedules, budgets, test plans, test cases, work plans, and process descriptions.Variability in its own right is the central concept in SPL which is not being catered by conventional method of reuse. Consequently, it is important for variability to be identified and to be represented early at requirements phase. The importance of identifying requirements variability earlier at requirements level is also known as systematic reuse by researchers (Frakes and Isoda 1994; Muthig 2002). Variability at requirements levels also initiates the existence of the variability at architecture thus further highlight the inadequacy of considering variability solely at architectural level. Therefore, considering on variability at architecture and its implementation level is not enough where the understanding of variability at the requirements level is also required (Yu, Akhihebbal et al. 1998; Moon 2005; Kircher, Schwanninger et al. 2006).