Track: Types of Architecture

Abstract: Developing software in product lines can shorten development cycles, improve return on software investments, improve software system integration, and help organizations respond quickly and effectively to market opportunities. With a product line approach to software development, building a new product or system becomes more a matter of assembly or generation than creation, of integration rather than programming.

Research in software product lines was inspired by the proven benefits of product line approaches in manufacturing, buoyed by the advent of object and component technology. Carnegie Mellon?s Software Engineering Institute has been a leader in developing a body of knowledge and a set of standard models for software product lines. Service-oriented and model-driven approaches, as well as developments in collaborative philosophies and environments, are extending the power of product line practice in exciting new ways.

This talk will describe the basic concepts of software product lines, present experience reports from companies enjoying the benefits of product line practice, summarize the software engineering and management practices needed for a product line approach, explore the role of architecture in software product lines, relate software product lines to other technology and business trends, and explore the future of software product lines.

Keywords: software product lines, product line engineering, product line architectures, product line practices, strategic reuse

Target audience: software engineers and technical managers who are interested in effective reuse strategies or adopting or using a software product line approach (Beginner)