Separating features using colored snippet graphs

In feature-oriented software product lines, two complementary approaches to implement features exist: compositional and annotative ones. To combine the respective advantages, a unified representation of the two on the file-system level is desirable, yet unavailable. We pick up this demand and propose a novel concept for separating features using colored snippet graphs instead of directories and files. In particular, our proposed ideas are based on snippets, ASTs and coloring, and enable the implementation of product lines with both compositional and annotative views on real documents. As a basis for future tools, we provide a conceptual overview of our approach, discuss our ideas for leveraging snippets, and demonstrate applicability using an example scenario.