Resource Demand Management in Java Ecosystem

Abstract

The evolution of Software Ecosystems (SECO) requires to satisfy community's needs based on platform's and applications' requirements, known as SECO demands. Such SECO demands must be evaluated, approved and subsequently translated into platform resources (e.g., API, framework, library). In this context, this work applies a research approach based on primary and secondary studies to investigate how resource demands are managed in Java SECO. To do so, we conducted a systematic mapping study on the existing models, methods and conditioning factors for supporting emergence and/or inclusion of SECO platforms' resources. Based on the results, we planned and executed a survey research with members of a real SECO, more especifically Java Community Process (JCP) Committee members. From the studies, we identified seven methods for collecting data related to the emergence of new APIs, including a method for architecture assessment based on quality attributes, and finally ten conditioning factors for API management that can support SECO evolution. The results also allowed us to organize a process for managing demands of resources in Java SECO platform. We found out that the lack of standardization for management of SECO demands can hinder platforms/applications management. Therefore, this field is worth of further in-depth studies.