Tracing aspect-oriented patterns for identifying feature dependency inconsistencies in software product lines

Features implementing the functionality in a software product line (SPL) often interact and depend on each other. It is hard to maintain the consistency between feature dependencies on the model level and in the actual implementation over time, resulting in inconsistent SPL with less ability for inclusion and exclusion of features during product derivation. We describe our initial results when working with feature dependencies implemented as aspect-oriented patterns and the related inconsistencies. Our aim is to improve feature dependency analysis for inconsistency identification between traceable modeled artefacts in SPL. In this research work we argue that traceability can facilitate identification of feature dependency inconsistencies. We report our experience of feature dependency inconsistency scenarios on different abstraction levels and our intended approach using traceability modeling to analyze feature dependency inconsistencies in the context of an existing scientific calculator product line.