Efficient extraction and analysis of preprocessor-based variability

Abstract

The C Preprocessor (CPP) is the tool of choice for the implementation of variability in many large-scale configurable software projects. Linux, probably the most-configurable piece of software ever, employs more than 10,000 preprocessor variables for this purpose. However, this de-facto variability tends to be "hidden in the code"; which on the long term leads to variability defects, such as dead code or inconsistencies with respect to the intended (modeled) variability of the software. This calls for tool support for the efficient extraction of (and reasoning over) CPP-based variability.