A Feasibility Analysis for the Application of Design Patterns in Search Based Product Line Design

Abstract

Design patterns have been successfully applied in the Search Based Software Engineering (SBSE) field to improve software architectures regarding some design principles, such as cohesion, coupling and reusability. However, we did not find, in the SBSE literature, approaches exploring the application of design patterns in software Product Line Architectures (PLAs). In this sense, this paper presents results from a feasibility analysis, conducted with GoF (Gang of Four) patterns, to verify their applicability in the context of a search-based approach for PLA design. The analysis considered the pattern structure, consequences of use according to some architectural metrics, flexibility and automation aspects. As a result, this paper also introduces a metamodel representation for scopes that are suitable to receive the design patterns application.