David Romero-Organvidez, José A. Galindo, Chico Sundermann, Jose-Miguel Horcas, David Benavides.
UVLHub: A feature model data repository using UVL and open science principles,
Journal of Systems and Software,
2024,
112150,
ISSN 0164-1212,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jss.2024.112150
David Benavides, Chico Sundermann, Kevin Feichtinger, José A. Galindo, Rick Rabiser and Thomas Thüm,
Uvl: Feature Modelling with the Universal Variability Language.,
Journal of Systems and Software,
Volume 225,
2025,
112326,
ISSN 0164-121
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jss.2024.112326
Let's get started!
What are you waiting for to upload your fantastic feature models in UVL format?
@article{romero2024_uvlhub_open_science,
title = {UVLHub: A feature model data repository using UVL and open science principles},
journal = {Journal of Systems and Software},
pages = {112150},
year = {2024},
issn = {0164-1212},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jss.2024.112150},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016412122400195X},
author = {David Romero-Organvidez and José A. Galindo and Chico Sundermann and Jose-Miguel Horcas and David Benavides},
keywords = {Feature models, Software product line, Variability, Dataset, Uvl},
abstract = {Feature models are the de facto standard for modelling variabilities and commonalities in features and relationships in software product lines. They are the base artefacts in many engineering activities, such as product configuration, derivation, or testing. Concrete models in different domains exist; however, many are in private or sparse repositories or belong to discontinued projects. The dispersion of knowledge of feature models hinders the study and reuse of these artefacts in different studies. The Universal Variability Language (UVL) is a community effort textual feature model language that promotes a common way of serialising feature models independently of concrete tools. Open science principles promote transparency, accessibility, and collaboration in scientific research. Although some attempts exist to promote feature model sharing, the existing solutions lack open science principles by design. In addition, existing and public feature models are described using formats not always supported by current tools. This paper presents , a repository of feature models in UVL format. provides a front end that facilitates the search, upload, storage, and management of feature model datasets, improving the capabilities of discontinued proposals. Furthermore, the tool communicates with Zenodo –one of the most well-known open science repositories– providing a permanent save of datasets and following open science principles. includes existing datasets and is readily available to include new data and functionalities in the future. It is maintained by three active universities in variability modelling.}
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - UVLHub: A feature model data repository using UVL and open science principles
AU - Romero-Organvidez, David
AU - Galindo, José A.
AU - Sundermann, Chico
AU - Horcas, Jose-Miguel
AU - Benavides, David
JO - Journal of Systems and Software
SP - 112150
PY - 2024
DA - 2024/07/01/
SN - 0164-1212
DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jss.2024.112150
UR - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016412122400195X
KW - Feature models
KW - Software product line
KW - Variability
KW - Dataset
KW - Uvl
AB - Feature models are the de facto standard for modelling variabilities and commonalities in features and relationships in software product lines. They are the base artefacts in many engineering activities, such as product configuration, derivation, or testing. Concrete models in different domains exist; however, many are in private or sparse repositories or belong to discontinued projects. The dispersion of knowledge of feature models hinders the study and reuse of these artefacts in different studies. The Universal Variability Language (UVL) is a community effort textual feature model language that promotes a common way of serialising feature models independently of concrete tools. Open science principles promote transparency, accessibility, and collaboration in scientific research. Although some attempts exist to promote feature model sharing, the existing solutions lack open science principles by design. In addition, existing and public feature models are described using formats not always supported by current tools. This paper presents , a repository of feature models in UVL format. provides a front end that facilitates the search, upload, storage, and management of feature model datasets, improving the capabilities of discontinued proposals. Furthermore, the tool communicates with Zenodo –one of the most well-known open science repositories– providing a permanent save of datasets and following open science principles. includes existing datasets and is readily available to include new data and functionalities in the future. It is maintained by three active universities in variability modelling.
ER -
David Romero-Organvidez, José A. Galindo, Chico Sundermann, Jose-Miguel Horcas, David Benavides,
UVLHub: A feature model data repository using UVL and open science principles,
Journal of Systems and Software,
2024,
112150,
ISSN 0164-1212,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jss.2024.112150.
(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016412122400195X)
Abstract: Feature models are the de facto standard for modelling variabilities and commonalities in features and relationships in software product lines. They are the base artefacts in many engineering activities, such as product configuration, derivation, or testing. Concrete models in different domains exist; however, many are in private or sparse repositories or belong to discontinued projects. The dispersion of knowledge of feature models hinders the study and reuse of these artefacts in different studies. The Universal Variability Language (UVL) is a community effort textual feature model language that promotes a common way of serialising feature models independently of concrete tools. Open science principles promote transparency, accessibility, and collaboration in scientific research. Although some attempts exist to promote feature model sharing, the existing solutions lack open science principles by design. In addition, existing and public feature models are described using formats not always supported by current tools. This paper presents , a repository of feature models in UVL format. provides a front end that facilitates the search, upload, storage, and management of feature model datasets, improving the capabilities of discontinued proposals. Furthermore, the tool communicates with Zenodo –one of the most well-known open science repositories– providing a permanent save of datasets and following open science principles. includes existing datasets and is readily available to include new data and functionalities in the future. It is maintained by three active universities in variability modelling.
Keywords: Feature models; Software product line; Variability; Dataset; Uvl
Romero-Organvidez, D., Galindo, J. A., Sundermann, C., Horcas, J.-M., & Benavides, D. (2024). UVLHub: A feature model data repository using UVL and open science principles. Journal of Systems and Software, 2024, 112150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jss.2024.112150
@article{benavides2024uvl,
title = {UVL: Feature modelling with the Universal Variability Language},
journal = {Journal of Systems and Software},
volume = {225},
pages = {112326},
year = {2025},
issn = {0164-1212},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jss.2024.112326},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0164121224003704},
author = {David Benavides and Chico Sundermann and Kevin Feichtinger and José A. Galindo and Rick Rabiser and Thomas Thüm},
keywords = {Feature model, Software product lines, Variability},
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - UVL: Feature modelling with the Universal Variability Language
AU - Benavides, David
AU - Sundermann, Chico
AU - Feichtinger, Kevin
AU - Galindo, José A.
AU - Rabiser, Rick
AU - Thüm, Thomas
JO - Journal of Systems and Software
VL - 225
SP - 112326
PY - 2025
DA - 2025/07/01/
SN - 0164-1212
DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jss.2024.112326
UR - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0164121224003704
KW - Feature model
KW - Software product lines
KW - Variability
David Benavides, Chico Sundermann, Kevin Feichtinger, José A. Galindo, Rick Rabiser, Thomas Thüm,
UVL: Feature modelling with the Universal Variability Language,
Journal of Systems and Software,
Volume 225,
2025,
112326,
ISSN 0164-1212,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jss.2024.112326.
(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0164121224003704)
Abstract: Feature modelling is a cornerstone of software product line engineering, providing a means to represent software variability through features and their relationships. Since its inception in 1990, feature modelling has evolved through various extensions, and after three decades of development, there is a growing consensus on the need for a standardised feature modelling language. Despite multiple endeavours to standardise variability modelling and the creation of various textual languages, researchers and practitioners continue to use their own approaches, impeding effective model sharing. In 2018, a collaborative initiative was launched by a group of researchers to develop a novel textual language for representing feature models. This paper introduces the outcome of this effort: the Universal Variability Language (UVL), which is designed to be human-readable and serves as a pivot language for diverse software engineering tools. The development of UVL drew upon community feedback and leveraged established literature in the field of variability modelling. The language is structured into three levels – Boolean, Arithmetic, and Type – and allows for language extensions to introduce additional constructs enhancing its expressiveness. UVL is integrated into various existing software tools, such as FeatureIDE and flamapy, and is maintained by a consortium of institutions. All tools that support the language are released in an open-source format, complemented by dedicated parser implementations for Python and Java. Beyond academia, UVL has found adoption within a range of institutions and companies. It is envisaged that UVL will become the language of choice in the future for a multitude of purposes, including knowledge sharing, educational instruction, and tool integration and interoperability. We envision UVL as a pivotal solution, addressing the limitations of prior attempts and fostering collaboration and innovation in the domain of software product line engineering.
Keywords: Feature model; Software product lines; Variability
Benavides, D., Sundermann, C., Feichtinger, K., Galindo, J. A., Rabiser, R., & Thüm, T. (2025). UVL: Feature modelling with the Universal Variability Language. Journal of Systems and Software, 225, 112326. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jss.2024.112326