An Object-Oriented Software Reuse Tool
Abstract
The Object-oriented Reuse Tool (ORT) provides support for the reuse of object-oriented software by maintaining a library of reusable classes, recording information about reusability, allowing easy exploration of library entries, and providing an extensible approach to facilitating reuse in a software development environment. ORT takes advantage of opportunities provided by the object-oriented style of programming that are unavailable in reuse schemes for conventional programming languages. It also records information useful in assessing the reusability of library entries and in relating these entries to each other. In the early design phases of object-oriented development, ORT facilitates reuse by providing a flexible way to navigate the classes recorded in library and the information associated with them. It thereby aids in the process of refining a design to maximally reuse existing classes. The implementation of ORT is extensible. A collection of other useful tools have been identified. These tools can be directly implemented within the existing architecture and would compose the remainder of a practical system useful in increasing the amount of reuse in an objected-oriented software development environment. Keywords: Software reuse; Object-oriented software; Libraries; Reusability information; Software development; Querying, Browsing; Computer programs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA208018
Entities
People
- Michael D. Monegan
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology