Re: [COMPONENTS] Gnome's OAF allows `Capability-based activation'...

On Sunday 09 September 2001 22:36, Herman Bruyninckx wrote:
> I also tried to come up with a description of "component" on the
> glossary page <http://www.orocos.org/glossary.html>. Please comment on
> this trial:
>
> ``A unit of composition with clearly specified interfaces and
> functionality. It can depend on context, but this dependence is made
> explicit. A software component is an independent unit, consisting of
> different modules, should be reusable, exceeding the concept of
> ``small'' entities such as classes, be able to interrogate other
> components to find their interfaces (and be interroated itself), be
> able to generate and handle events, and deliverable by third parties
> on the basis of its interface specification only.''
>
> One of the important things is this "interrogateability", I think...
>
> Herman

Clemens Szyperski is a guru of component software. He uses the following 
definition:

"Software components enable practical reuse of software 'parts' and 
amortization of investments over multiple applications. There are other units 
of reuse, such as source code libraries, designs, or architectures. 
Therefore, to be specific,

  'software components are binary units of independent production, 
acquisition, and deployment that interact to form a functioning system.'

Insisting on independance and binary form is essential to allow for multiple 
independent vendors and robust integration."

This is taken from his book:

Component Software
Beyond Object-Oriented Programming
Addison-Wesley Pub Co;  ISBN: 0201178885

I recommend it.
Maybe Herman can add it to Links/Books ? 

I think the term binary is especially interesting.

./Anders

-- 
Anders Oreback                         Phone: +46 (0)8 790 6204
CAS/CVAP/NADA                      Cellular: +46 (0)70 749 2103
Royal Institute of Technology        Mailto:[email protected]
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