My first research interest lies in the application of advanced forms of modularization (usually aspects, but I also consider metaprogramming, generative programming, …) to the domain of distributed systems. The overall goal is to make life easier for the programmer of these systems. Put briefly, they are faced with a lot of extra concerns, due to the distributed nature of the application, that are complex and usually cross-cutting. Having a better modularization of these concerns should lead to software that is easier to develop and maintain.

I focus not on middleware but either on client applications that use middleware, or settings where the services are not provided by the middleware. For the former, the example case is the use of advanced transaction management and aspects. For the latter, an example I investigated is support for network disconnection and disconnection in an ambient intelligence setting, using generative programming.

Secondly, I work on the design and implementation of Domain-Specific Aspect Languages (DSALs). As the first incarnation of AOP, such languages have always interested me. I wish to help the language/weaver developer in creating such languages. This includes finding guidelines or methodologies for DSAL design and facilitating reuse of parts of DSAL specifications, amongst others.

Furthermore, I believe that DSALs are an important solution strategy to tackle the problem of aspect composition and interaction, and can contribute positively to the discussion on the ever-controversial concept of obliviousness in AOSD.