Using pointcut delta analysis to support evolution of aspect-oriented software

Abstract

Aspect oriented programming has been proposed as a way to improve modularity of software systems by allowing encapsulation of cross-cutting concerns. To do so, aspects specify where new functionality should apply using pointcuts. Unfortunately expressions written using todays mainstream pointcut languages are fragile, as non-local changes may easily change pointcut semantics. This is a major obstacle for evolution of aspect oriented software. In this paper we introduce a delta analysis to lighten these problems.