A Statistical Approach to Feature Interaction

This paper presents the concept of a new, statistical approach to the feature interaction problem. The approach is based on the ideas originating from Statistical Usage Testing, and aims at rationalizing the process of feature interaction detection during service creation by utilizing the statistical properties of system usage. The most probable combinations of service features should receive the most attention, whereas the combinations whose occurrence probabilities are extremely low or zero may not be considered. In this sense, the proposed statistical approach is an added value to other feature interaction detection methods. By taking advantage of the statistical distributions of the user’s behaviour, it is also possible to provide for efficient verification of service software and certification of service quality from the feature interaction point of view. The paper discusses general aspects of the feature interaction problem. The principles of statistical testing and statistical usage modelling of services are outlined. The process of creating the usage specifications of telecom services is presented, and possible applications of the usage specification in feature interaction detection, service software verification, and service quality certification are discussed.

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