Edicts: implementing features with flexible binding times

In a software product line, the binding time of a feature is the time at which one decides to include or exclude a feature from a product. Typical binding site implementations are intended to support a single binding time only, e.g., compile time or run time. Sometimes, however, a product line must support features with variable binding times. For instance, a product line may need to include both embedded system configurations, in which features are selected and optimized early, and desktop configurations, in which client programs choose features on demand. We present a new technique for implementing the binding sites of features that require flexible binding times. Our technique combines design patterns and aspect-oriented programming: a pattern encapsulates the variation point, and targeted aspects--called edicts--set the binding times of the pattern participants. We describe our approach and demonstrate its usefulness by creating a middleware product line capable of serving the des...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2008
• Where: AOSD
• Authors: Venkat Chakravarthy, John Regehr, Eric Eide
• Keywords: AOSD 2008, Binding Sites, Binding Times, Product Line, Software Engineering