@incollection{MIP-0606,
author="M. Stoerzer",
title="Using Atomic Changes to Explain Pointcut Deltas",
institution="Fakult{\"a}t f{\"u}r Mathematik und Informatik, Universit{\"a}t Passau",
year=2006,
number={MIP-0606}
}
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. This technical report extends pointcut delta analysis proposed in earlier work to lighten these problems and allow programmers informed decisions if matching behavior changed expectedly or not.
