Model-Driven Engineering for Software Product Lines

Table 1

Classification of variability modeling techniques.

Technique name	Metamodel level		Model level
Unique model (combined) for product line assets and PL variability
Annotating the base model by means of extensions	AMM + V		PLM (conforms to AMM + V)
Combine a general, reusable variability metamodel with base; metamodels	AMM	VMM	PLM (conforms to (AMM o VMM))
Separate (distinct) assets model and variability model
Connect Feature Diagrams to model fragments	AMM	VMM	AM	VM (FDM)
Orthogonal Variability Modeling (OVM)	AMM	VMM	AM	VM (OVM)
ConIPF Variability Modeling Framework (COVAMOF)	AMM	VMM (CVV)	AM	VM (CVV)
Decision model based approaches	AMM	VMM (DMM)	AM	VM (DM)
Combine a common variability language with different base  modeling languages	AMM	VMM (CVL)	AM	VM (CVL)

AMM: assets metamodel, AM: assets model, VMM: variability meta-model, VM: variability model, AMM + V: assets metamodel with variability, PLM: product line model, CVL: common variability language, FDM: feature diagram model, and DMM: decision metamodel, DM: decision model.