Principles and mechanisms for evolving software systems

Abstract

Software evolution generally means that software can change its structure and functions to tolerate changes of its specification and operating environment. Though it is widely recognized that software is able to evolve is one of the most important requirements of the software which can live long, current software is not made to allow evolution in a reasonable cost. Besides, it is shared by many software researchers and practitioners that very complex software system could be built only by evolving it starting from its simpler version. Evolutionary mechanisms are also needed for modern software which is flexible and open and is able to adapt to new environments.