Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Part I Software product line engineering challenges
- Part II Variability analysis and modelling
- Part III Variability implementation and traceability
- Part IV Product-driven vs. solution-driven software product line engineering
- Part V Future trends
- 12 Dynamic variability in adaptive systems
- 13 Imperfect information in software product line engineering
- 14 Empirical research in software product line engineering
- Epilogue
- References
- Index
14 - Empirical research in software product line engineering
from Part V - Future trends
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 07 September 2011
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Part I Software product line engineering challenges
- Part II Variability analysis and modelling
- Part III Variability implementation and traceability
- Part IV Product-driven vs. solution-driven software product line engineering
- Part V Future trends
- 12 Dynamic variability in adaptive systems
- 13 Imperfect information in software product line engineering
- 14 Empirical research in software product line engineering
- Epilogue
- References
- Index
Summary
Introduction
Empirical evaluation has for many years been utilised to validate theories in other science disciplines. One of the first well-known reported examples of empirical evaluation occurred when Galileo wanted to prove that the rate of descent of objects was independent of their mass. This would disprove a theory put forward by Aristotle that the rate of descent is directly proportional to their weight. To prove his theory Galileo dropped two balls made from the same material but different masses from the top of the Tower of Pisa. When the experiment was performed Galileo's theory was proved correct through the empirical evidence collected. What this story demonstrates is the importance of empirical validation to verify or disprove theories and hypotheses. The purpose of this chapter is to emphasise the importance and difficulties of empirical evaluation in the domain of SPLE.
In addition to physics, experimentation plays a vital role in other disciplines. For example, medicine as a discipline did not really exist before experimentation was applied to this area (Basili, 1996). Instead, remedies and cures to illnesses were passed around based on hearsay, or from generation to generation. When experimentation was applied to medicine real progress was observed, with extra resources diverted to areas showing promise. Applying experimentation can speed up the progress of a discipline by quickly eliminating futile approaches and incorrect theories. Furthermore, experimentation can potentially open up new areas of research by uncovering unexpected results.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Aspect-Oriented, Model-Driven Software Product LinesThe AMPLE Way, pp. 411 - 443Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2011