JUCS - Journal of Universal Computer Science 17(5): 670-683, doi: 10.3217/jucs-017-05-0670
Bio-Inspired Mechanisms for Coordinating Multiple Instances of a Service Feature in Dynamic Software Product Lines
expand article infoJaejoon Lee‡, Jon Whittle‡, Oliver Storz‡
‡ Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom

Corresponding author: Jaejoon Lee ( j.lee@comp.lancs.ac.uk )

© Jaejoon Lee, Jon Whittle, Oliver Storz.
This article is freely available under the J.UCS Open Content License.
Citation: Lee J, Whittle J, Storz O (2011) Bio-Inspired Mechanisms for Coordinating Multiple Instances of a Service Feature in Dynamic Software Product Lines. JUCS - Journal of Universal Computer Science 17(5): 670-683. https://doi.org/10.3217/jucs-017-05-0670
Open Access
Abstract
One of the challenges in Dynamic Software Product Line (DSPL) is how to support the coordination of multiple instances of a service feature. In particular, there is a need for a decentralized decision-making capability that will be able to seamlessly integrate new instances of a service feature without an omniscient central controller. Because of the need for decentralization, we are investigating principles from self-organization in biological organisms. As an initial proof of concept, we have applied three bio-inspired techniques to a simple smart home scenario: quorum sensing based service activation, a firefly algorithm for synchronization, and a gossiping (epidemic) protocol for information dissemination. In this paper, we first explain why we selected those techniques using a set of motivating scenarios of a smart home and then describe our experiences in adopting them.
Keywords
bio-inspired computing, dynamic software product line, variability mechanism