A Study of Feature Scattering in the Linux Kernel

Passos, L. (author)

Queiroz, R. (author)

Mukelabai, Mukelabai, 1985 (author): Gothenburg University,Göteborgs universitet,Institutionen för data- och informationsteknik, datavetenskap (GU),Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Computing Science (GU)

Berger, Thorsten, 1981 (author): Gothenburg University,Göteborgs universitet,Institutionen för data- och informationsteknik (GU),Department of Computer Science and Engineering (GU)

Apel, S. (author)

Czarnecki, K. (author)

Padilla, J. A. (author)

(creator_code:org_t)

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), 2021
2021
English.
In: IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering. - : Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). - 0098-5589 .- 1939-3520 .- 2326-3881. ; 47:1, s. 146-164

Related links:: https://gup.ub.gu.se...; show more...; https://doi.org/10.1...; show less...

Abstract Subject headings

Feature code is often scattered across a software system. Scattering is not necessarily bad if used with care, as witnessed by systems with highly scattered features that evolved successfully. Feature scattering, often realized with a pre-processor, circumvents limitations of programming languages and software architectures. Unfortunately, little is known about the principles governing scattering in large and long-living software systems. We present a longitudinal study of feature scattering in the Linux kernel, complemented by a survey with 74, and interviews with nine Linux kernel developers. We analyzed almost eight years of the kernel's history, focusing on its largest subsystem: device drivers. We learned that the ratio of scattered features remained nearly constant and that most features were introduced without scattering. Yet, scattering easily crosses subsystem boundaries, and highly scattered outliers exist. Scattering often addresses a performance-maintenance tradeoff (alleviating complicated APIs), hardware design limitations, and avoids code duplication. While developers do not consciously enforce scattering limits, they actually improve the system design and refactor code, thereby mitigating pre-processor idiosyncrasies or reducing its use.

By the author/editor: Passos, L.; Queiroz, R.; Mukelabai, Mukel ...; Berger, Thorsten ...; Apel, S.; Czarnecki, K.; show more...; Padilla, J. A.; show less...

About the subject

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