Plug-and-play Features

We propose a feature construct for deening features, and use it to provide a plug-and-play framework for exploring feature interactions. Our approach to the feature interaction problem has the following characteristics: Features are treated as rst-class objects during the development phase; A method for integrating a feature into a system description is described. It allows features to override existing behaviour of the system being developed; A prototype tool has been developed for performing the integration; Our approach allows interactions between features to be witnessed. In principle, our approach is quite general and need not be tied to any particular system description language. In this paper, however, we develop the approach in the context of the SMV model checking system. We describe two case studies in detail: the lift system, and the telephone system.