Μ-DSU: A Micro-Language Based Approach to Dynamic Software Updating. (January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cazzola, Walter; Chitchyan, Ruzanna; Rashid, Awais; Shaqiri, Albert
• Is Part Of: Computer languages, systems & structures. Volume 51(2017)
• Page Start: 71
• Page End: 89
• Publication Date: 2018-01
• Subjects: Programming languages (Electronic computers) -- Periodicals; Computer networks -- Periodicals; Computer architecture -- Periodicals; Computer systems -- Periodicals; Langage de programmation; Réseau d'ordinateurs; Architecture d'ordinateur; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 005.13
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cl.2017.07.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1477-8424

Abstract

Highlights: This paper presents μ -DSU a linguistic approach to dynamic software updating (DSU). The μ -DSU framework is implemented on top of Neverlang. μ -DSU exploits Neverlang's characteristic to permit a dynamic update of the interpreter during its execution. μ -DSU has the benefit of easing the introduction and the update of nonfunctional concerns in a running application. μ -DSU update process leaves the application code untouched reducing the complexity of the updating process and fostering adaptation reuse on a broader scale. Demonstration studies are provided. Abstract: Today software systems play a critical role in society's infrastructures and many are required to provide uninterrupted services in their constantly changing environments. As the problem domain and the operational context of such software changes, the software itself must be updated accordingly. In this paper we propose to support dynamic software updating through language semantic adaptation; this is done through use of micro-languages that confine the effect of the introduced change to specific application features. Micro-languages provide a logical layer over a programming language and associate an application feature with the portion of the programming language used to implement it. Thus, they permit to update the application feature by updating the underlying programming constructs without affecting the behaviour of the other application features. Such a linguistic approach provides the benefit of easy addition/removal of application features (with a special focus on non-functional features) to/from a running application by separating the implementation of the new feature from the original application, allowing for the application to remain unaware of any extensions. The feasibility of this approach is demonstrated with two studies; its benefits and drawbacks are also analysed.