A study of non-Boolean constraints in variability models of an embedded operating system

  • Authors:

  • Leonardo Passos;Marko Novakovic;Yingfei Xiong;Thorsten Berger;Krzysztof Czarnecki;Andrzej Wąsowski

  • Affiliations:

  • University of Waterloo;University of Waterloo;University of Waterloo;University of Leipzig;University of Waterloo;IT University of Copenhagen

  • Venue:
  • Proceedings of the 15th International Software Product Line Conference, Volume 2
  • Year:
  • 2011

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Abstract

Many variability modeling tasks can be supported by automated analyses of models. Unfortunately, most analyses for Boolean variability models are NP-hard, while analyses for non-Boolean models easily become undecidable. It is thus crucial to exploit the properties of realistic models to construct viable analysis algorithms. Unfortunately, little work exists about non-Boolean models, and no benchmarks are available for such. We present the non-Boolean aspects of 116 variability models available in the codebase of eCos---a real time embedded operating system. We characterize the types of non-Boolean features in the models, kinds and quantities of non-Boolean constraints in use, and the impact of these characteristics on the hardness of this model from analysis perspective. This way we provide researchers and practitioners with a basis for discussion of relevance of non-Boolean models and their analyses, along with the first ever benchmark for effectiveness of such analyses.