Information demand model for software unit reuse

Authors: Zinn, M., Fischer-Hellmann, K.P., Schuette, A. and Phippen, A.D.

Journal: Proceedings of the ISCA 20th International Conference on Software Engineering and Data Engineering, SEDE 2011

Pages: 32-39

ISBN: 9781880843826

Abstract:

Typically, reusable software units (like classes, components and services) in object oriented development environments have to provide a certain amount of information. This information is needed during the development and runtime phase. Typical information types are for example documentation, specification, metrics, technical properties, etc. In different usage levels, information may have different values for software engineers. The availability of information determines the capabilities of a unit, due to different users employing different information to decide about the reuse of a unit. Again, other information is critical for the success of the entire development process when applying certain procedure models. Thus, retrieval of these units and their contents is important for reuse. However, this is still a problem since a lot of expert knowledge is needed to find, adapt, and integrate reusable software units. To solve this problem, it is necessary to understand information demand in the area of software unit reuse. This paper discusses an existing information demand model of the knowledge science area and applies it to the field of software unit reuse to support analysis of software reuse problems To conclude, a model will be defined to visualise the coherence between information demand and software unit reuse knowledge.

Source: Scopus