UML Modeling Support for Early Reuse Decisions in Component-Based Development

Abstract

Component-based development is the software industry’s latest answer to some long-standing problems in software development. Its aim is to make actual reuse of existing software units (components) a widespread reality. We argue that significant reuse decisions can occur in the early stages of system development. Using a theory of the modeling process, we show that choice of abstractions and notations is critical. We investigate the kinds of models that would support early reuse decisions. We show that easily composable, business-oriented abstractions about software behaviour and a functional mental model are necessary. Evaluation of the UML in these terms emphasizes its bias towards structural mental models and abstractions derived from the software domain.