Semantic reasoning about feature composition via multiple aspect-weavings

ABSTRACT

In this paper, we consider semantic refinement for feature-oriented programming where components are built from features and weavings, which we use to adapt one feature to the context of another one. We address the question of semantic reasoning about multiple weavings. If we know the effect of feature A on X and of feature B on X, what can we conclude about adding both A and B to X? For this, we define conservative weavings which do not modify the state of another feature. We show that composition of several such weavings is however not compositional as it does not preserve semantics. In particular, weavings must consider that other weavings have already been applied. This explains why it is considerably more difficult to reason about multiple aspect weavings. We show criteria on the dependencies between weavings which allow modular, semantics-preserving application of weavings. This is formalized in a calculus for feature composition and also extended to conditional refinements.

REFERENCES

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  D. Software
  D.3 PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
      D.3.3 Language Constructs and Features
          Subjects: Classes and objects

Additional Classification:
  D. Software
  D.1 PROGRAMMING TECHNIQUES
      D.1.5 Object-oriented Programming
  D.3 PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
      D.3.1 Formal Definitions and Theory
          Subjects: Semantics
      D.3.3 Language Constructs and Features
          Subjects: Modules, packages; Inheritance

General Terms:
Design, Languages, Theory, Verification

Keywords:
aspect weaving, aspect-oriented programming, feature composition, feature interaction, feature-oriented programming, modular reasoning, semantic reasoning and refinement