Adaptive Software Development supported by an Automated Process: a Reference Model

Abstract

This paper presents a reference model as an automated process to assist the adaptive software development at runtime, also known as Self-adaptive Systems (SaS) at runtime. This type of software has specific characteristics in comparison to traditional one, since it allows that changes (structural or behavioral) to be incorporated at runtime. Automated processes have been used as a feasible solution to conduct software adaptation at runtime by minimizing human involvement (developers) and speeding up the execution of tasks. In parallel, reference models have been used to aggregate knowledge and architectural artifacts, since they capture the systems essence in specific domains. However, presently no there is reference model based on reflection for the automation of software adaptation at runtime. In this scenario, this paper presents a reference model based on reflection, as an automated process, for the development of software systems that require adaptation at runtime. To show the applicability of the model, a case study was conducted and a good perspective to efficiently contribute to the area of SaS has been obtained.

Keywords

• Self-adaptive software
• Automated process
• Reference model
• Development of software systems