Feature Models in the Wild

This project investigates and studies large-scale real world feature models, such as the Linux kernel, with more than 6000 features, and Ecos, with over 1000 features.

We have studied the their structural characteristics (size, depth, width, number of constraints), the evolution of the model, and also the languages used for expressing these models and their semantics.

Linux Kconfig and eCos Models

Tools for analyzing the Linux Kconfig language are available on Google Code under the Linux Variability Analysis Tools (LVAT) project. The CNF translation in dimacs format are available in this code repository. The Linux Kernel v2.6.32 and eCos variability models are available now in Clafer. A parser for this model is available as a BNFC specification with instructions to generate a Java parser here.

Team Members

News

Tools

Publications

2015
Berger, T., D. Lettner, J. Rubin, P. Grünbacher, A. Silva, M. Becker, M. Chechik, and K. Czarnecki, "What is a Feature? A Qualitative Study of Features in Industrial Software Product Lines", 19th International Software Product Line Conference (SPLC), 2015. [pdf][pdf]
Nadi, S., T. Berger, C. Kästner, and K. Czarnecki, "Where do Configuration Constraints Stem From? An Extraction Approach and an Empirical Study", IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering, 2015.
2014
Nadi, S., T. Berger, C. Kästner, and K. Czarnecki, "Mining Configuration Constraints: Static Analyses and Empirical Results", 36th International Conference on Software Engineering (ICSE'14), 2014. [pdf]
2013
Berger, T., S. She, R. Lotufo, A. Wąsowski, and K. Czarnecki, "A Study of Variability Models and Languages in the Systems Software Domain", IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering, vol. 39, issue 12, no. 12, pp. 1611-1640, Dec, 2013. [pdf]
2012
Czarnecki, K., P. Gruenbacher, R. Rabiser, K. Schmid, and A. Wąsowski, "Cool Features and Tough Decisions: A Comparison of Variability Modeling Approaches", Variability Modelling of Software-intensive Systems (VaMoS), Leipzig, Germany, ACM Press, 01/2012. [pdf]
Hubaux, A., Y. Xiong, and K. Czarnecki, "A User Survey of Configuration Challenges in Linux and eCos", Variability Modelling of Software-intensive Systems (VaMoS), Leipzig, Germany, ACM Press, 01/2012. [pdf]
Passos, L., K. Czarnecki, and A. Wąsowski, "Towards a Catalog of Variability Evolution Patterns: The Linux Kernel Case", 4th International Workshop on Feature Oriented Software Development, 2012. [pdf][pdf]
Berger, T., S. She, R. Lotufo, A. Wąsowski, and K. Czarnecki, Variability Modeling in the Systems Software Domain, : Generative Software Development Laboratory, University of Waterloo, 2012. [pdf]
2011
Passos, L., M. Novakovic, Y. Xiong, T. Berger, K. Czarnecki, and A. Wąsowski, "A Study of Non-Boolean Constraints in Variability Models of an Embedded Operating System", 3rd International Workshop on Feature Oriented Software Development, Munich, Germany, ACM, 08/2011. [pdf][pdf]
Hubaux, A., Y. Xiong, and K. Czarnecki, Configuration Challenges in Linux and eCos: A Survey, , no. GSDLAB-TR 2011-09-29, Waterloo, Generative Software Development Laboratory, University of Waterloo, 2011. [pdf][pdf][pdf]
She, S., R. Lotufo, T. Berger, A. Wąsowski, and K. Czarnecki, "Reverse Engineering Feature Models", ICSE 2011, 2011. [pdf][pdf]
2010
Lotufo, R., S. She, T. Berger, A. Wąsowski, and K. Czarnecki, "Evolution of the Linux Kernel Variability Model", Software Product Line Conference, 09/2010. [pdf][pdf]
Berger, T., S. She, R. Lotufo, A. Wąsowski, and K. Czarnecki, "Variability Modeling in the Real: A Perspective from the Operating Systems Domain", 25th IEEE/ACM International Conference on Automated Software Engineering, 09/2010. [pdf][pdf]
Berger, T., and S. She, Formal Semantics of the CDL Language, : University of Leipzig, 2010. [pdf]
She, S., and T. Berger, Formal Semantics of the Kconfig Language, : University of Waterloo, 2010. [pdf]
She, S., R. Lotufo, T. Berger, A. Wąsowski, and K. Czarnecki, "Variability Model of the Linux Kernel", Fourth International Workshop on Variability Modeling of Software-intensive Systems (VaMoS 2010), Linz, Austria, 2010. [pdf]
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linux-2.6.32.zip153.42 KB
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Everyone in our lab is free to work on what they want to work on. Encouragement and constructive feed back is always available.

Rehan Rauf

This lab is quite diverse. It is comprised of a group of really smart people from all over the world, each with different backgrounds, working in a friendly and welcoming environment. Being part of it has been such an enriching experience.

Jesús Alejandro Padilla Gaeta