Configurability and Extensibility of Tools for Software Product Lines

Tool support is essential for application engineering in software product lines for the derivation of products from reusable assets. Existing tools are insufficiently configurable and extensible with regard to the type of artifacts and associated variability mechanisms that they target. This paper addresses the problem by exploring the underlying commonality and adequately managing variability of tools for product derivation. More specifically, the paper describes domain analysis, design, implementation of Hephaestus-PL— a proper product line for such tools. To this end, an extractive strategy was applied to the existing Haskell-based Hephaestus tool. A transformational approach to variability management is designed and implemented by metaprogramming in Haskell. We also describe a reactive process for evolving Hephaestus-PL to address new types of artifacts. Improved configurability and extensibility is substantiated by an assessment.