Abstract
The feature model is a domain/product-line oriented requirements model based on hierarchical structure and explicit variability modeling, and has been adopted by several important software reuse methods. However, with respect to the problem of verification of constraints on features and verification of partially customized feature models, these methods tend to be semi-formal and offer little formal assistance. In this paper, we propose a propositional logic-based method for the verification of feature models at different binding times. The most important characteristic of this method is that it integrates the logical verification with binding times, which makes it can be used to verify any partially customized feature models at any binding time (except run-time). In this method, constraints on features are formalized by logical sentences. Thus, the verification of feature models is converted into satisfaction problems in the logic. With this formal method, verification problems such as the detection of inconsistent constraints or the detection of conflicting or unnecessary binding resolutions can be automatically revealed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Kang, K.C., Cohen, S.G., Hess, J.A., Novak, W.E., Peterson, A.S.: Feature-Oriented Domain Analysis Feasibility Study. SEI-90-TR-21, Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University (November 1990)
Kang, K.C., Kim, S., Lee, J., Kim, K., Shin, E., Huh, M.: FORM: A Feature-Oriented Reuse Method with Domain-Specific Architecture. Annals of Software Engineering 5, 143–168 (1998)
Griss, M.L., Favaro, J., d’Alessandro, M.: Integrating Feature Modeling with the RSEB. In: Proceedings of Fifth International Conference on Software Reuse, pp. 76–85. IEEE Computer Society, Canada (1998)
Chastek, G., Donohoe, P., Kang, K.C., Thiel, S.: Product Line Analysis: A Practical Introduction. SEI-2001-TR-001, Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University (2001)
Karlsson, E.-A. (ed.): Software Reuse: A Holistic Approach. REBOOT Methodology Handbook. John Wiley & Sons, Chichester (1995)
Mannion, M.: Using First-Order Logic for Product Line Model Validation. In: Chastek, G.J. (ed.) SPLC 2002. LNCS, vol. 2379, pp. 176–187. Springer, Heidelberg (2002)
Fey, D., Fajta, R., Boros, A.: Feature Modeling: A Meta-Model to Enhance Usability and Usefulness. In: Chastek, G.J. (ed.) SPLC 2002. LNCS, vol. 2379, pp. 198–216. Springer, Heidelberg (2002)
Mannion, M., Keepence, B., Kaindl, H., Wheadon, J.: Reusing Single System Requirements from Application Family Requirements. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Software Engineering, pp. 453–462 (1999)
Mili, H., Mili, F., Mili, A.: Reusing Software: Issues and Research Directions. IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering 21(6) (June 1995)
Ferber, S., Haag, J., Savolainen, J.: Feature Interaction and Dependencies: Modeling Features for Reengineering a Legacy Product Line. In: Chastek, G.J. (ed.) SPLC 2002. LNCS, vol. 2379, pp. 235–256. Springer, Heidelberg (2002)
SMV: Model Checking @CMU, The SMV System, http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/~modelcheck/smv.html
Mei, H., Zhang, W., Gu, F.: A Feature Oriented Approach to Modeling and Reusing Requirements of Software Product Lines. In: The 27th Annual International Computer Software and Applications Conference, November 2003, pp. 250–255 (2003)
Amyot, D., Charfi, L., Gorse, N., Gray, T., Logrippo, L., Sincennes, J., Stepien, B., Ware, T.: Feature Description and Feature Interaction Analysis with Use Case Maps and LOTOS. In: FIW 2000, Glasgow (May 2000)
Lee, K., Kang, K.C., Lee, J.: Concepts and Guidelines of Feature Modeling for Product Line Software Engineering. ICSR-7, 62–77 (2002)
Zave, P.: Feature interactions and formal specifications in telecommunications. IEEE Computer 26(8), 20–29 (1993)
Griss, M.L.: Implementing Product-Line Features with Component Reuse. In: Frakes, W.B. (ed.) ICSR 2000. LNCS, vol. 1844, pp. 137–152. Springer, Heidelberg (2000)
Reid Turner, C., Fuggetta, A., Lavazza, L., Wolf, A.L.: A Conceptual Basis for Feature Engineering. Journal of Systems and Software 49(1) (December 1999)
Wiegers, K.E.: Software Requirements. Microsoft Press (1999)
Mehta, A., Heineman, G.T.: Evolving Legacy System Features into Fine-Grained Components. In: Proceedings of the 24th international conference on Software engineering, Orlando, Florida (2002)
Kang, K.C., Lee, K., Lee, J., Kim, S.: Feature Oriented Product Line Software Engineering: Principles and Guidelines. In: Domain Oriented Systems Development – Practices and Perspectives. Gordon Breach Science Publishers, UK (2002)
Ferber, S., Haag, J., Savolainen, J.: Feature Interaction and Dependencies: Modeling Features for Reengineering a Legacy Product Line. In: Chastek, G.J. (ed.) SPLC 2002. LNCS, vol. 2379, pp. 235–256. Springer, Heidelberg (2002)
Unified Modeling Language (UML), Version 1.5, http://www.omg.org/technology/documents/formal/uml.htm
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2004 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this paper
Cite this paper
Zhang, W., Zhao, H., Mei, H. (2004). A Propositional Logic-Based Method for Verification of Feature Models. In: Davies, J., Schulte, W., Barnett, M. (eds) Formal Methods and Software Engineering. ICFEM 2004. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 3308. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-30482-1_16
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-30482-1_16
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-23841-6
Online ISBN: 978-3-540-30482-1
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive