Volume 10, Number 2
Bio-Inspired Requirements Variability Modeling with use Case
Authors
Esraa Abdel-Ghani and Said Ghoul, Philadelphia University, Jordan
Abstract
Background. Feature Model (FM) is the most important technique used to manage the variability through
products in Software Product Lines (SPLs). Often, the SPLs requirements variability is by using variable
use case modelwhich is a real challenge inactual approaches: large gap between their concepts and those of
real world leading to bad quality, poor supporting FM, and the variability does not cover all requirements
modeling levels.
Aims. This paper proposes a bio-inspired use case variability modeling methodology dealing with the
above shortages.
Method. The methodology is carried out through variable business domain use case meta modeling,
variable applications family use case meta modeling, and variable specific application use case generating.
Results. This methodology has leaded to integrated solutions to the above challenges: it decreases the gap
between computing concepts and real world ones. It supports use case variability modeling by introducing
versions and revisions features and related relations. The variability is supported at three meta levels
covering business domain, applications family, and specific application requirements.
Conclusion. A comparative evaluation with the closest recent works, upon some meaningful criteria in the
domain, shows the conceptual and practical great value of the proposed methodology and leads to
promising research perspectives.
Keywords
Software requirements variability, bio-inspired variability modeling, use case variability, feature model, software requirements versions, software requirements revisions