This paper presents a process, a method and a framework for developing families of software systems in a domain. The process is generic (domain-independent) and produces skeleton software architectures as Software Product Lines. The genericity is supported by the metamodels (abstract languages) that are defined in order to describe the Reference Architecture (structure view, behavior view and variability view) of the system domain. A standardized Production Plan takes the Reference Architecture as input and produces the equivalent Skeleton Software Architecture (component-connector view) using a Feature Model configuration (describing the system to be) as output. This Skeleton Software Architecture includes the structure and behavior of the target software product. A framework has been implemented to support the approach. The process is applied, as an example, to the Diagnostic Expert Systems domain. Our approach is based on Model-Driven Engineering techniques and the Software Product Line paradigm. A domain analysis must be done in order to build the Reference Architecture.
A Model Driven Software Product Line Process for Developing Applications