Abstract. We present a taxonomy of the variability mechanisms offered by modeling languages. The definition of a formal language encompasses a syntax and a semantic domain as well as the mapping that relates them, thus language variabilities are classified according to which of those three pillars they address. This work furthermore proposes a framework to explicitly document and manage the variation points and their corresponding variants of a variable modeling language. The framework enables the systematic study of various kinds of variabilities and their interdependencies. Moreover, it allows a methodical customization of a language, for example, to a given application domain. The taxonomy of variability is explicitly of interest for the UML to provide a more precise understanding of its variation points.
Cengarle et al. REF have presented a taxonomy of variability mechanisms in language definitions syntax and semantics, and demonstrated the use of feature diagrams to model possible variants.
Variability within Modeling Language Definitions
Model Driven Engineering Languages and Systems. Proceedings of MODELS 2009, LNCS 5795. Denver, Colorado, USA, October 2009
Computer Science