A Reusable Software Artifact Library system as the core of a reuse-oriented software enterprise

Abstract

Introducing software reuse at a corporate level represents one of the most promising means of addressing the rising costs that are plaguing the software industry. A series of mechanisms are needed for shortening development cycles and providing reliable software of high quality which will be more maintainable and flexible for future extensions. This paper describes the experiences of SodaIia S.p.A., a young Italian company, in implementing such reuse methodology, particularly centred around a reuse tool specifically developed. Since 1993, Sodalia's software engineers have been implementing a reuse program whose goal is making software reuse a significant and systematic part of the software process. The SodaIia Corporate Reuse Program is intended to institutionalize a software reuse process that incorporates reuse-specific activities all along the SodaIia object oriented software development process, drawing heavily on a reusable software artifact library system which has been designed to support the classification, management and search for artifacts to be employed in reuse efforts. This paper presents an overview of the corporate reuse program implemented at Sodalia, focusing on the reusable software artifact library system and its role inside the reuse program.