Simulating Evolution in Model-based Product Line Engineering

Numerous approaches are available for modeling product lines and their variability. However, the long-term impacts of model-based development on maintenance effort and model complexity can hardly be investigated due to a lack of empirical data. Conducting empirical research in product line engineering is difficult as companies are typically reluctant to provide access to data from their product lines. Also, many benefits of product lines can be measured only in longitudinal studies, which are difficult to perform in most environments