Software Product Line Development: A Review on Practical Issues and Challenges

Software product line concept has been a key area of concern due to its impacts on reducing the costs and increasing the productivity by means of reuse maximization. The literature has a plethora of success stories about the software product lines. On the other hand, success in product line development requires specific techniques and methodologies at every step of the software development process. Moreover, a defect introduced in any step might have abnormally negative impact due to diffusion, if special care is not devoted. In this paper, with a different point of view, potential risks and hazards in case of 'careless product line development' are discussed rather than the benefits of the product line.