Feature interaction analysis of the feature-oriented requirements-modelling language using alloy

Abstract

Feature-oriented software development (FOSD) has several benefits over traditional development practices, but also introduces the problem of feature interactions. We have defined a method for detecting semantic feature interactions in models expressed in the feature-oriented requirements modelling language (FORML) by translating a FORML model into an Alloy model and using the Alloy analyzer to detect interactions. We have implemented a tool that handles the translation and interaction analysis. In this paper we present our method for detecting feature interactions, show that it scales well and discuss how it can detect feature interactions in partial models.