Reusing software with ESTRO (Evolving Software Repository)

An approach is proposed to the reuse of software at the source code level. The approach is named ESTRO (Evolving Software Repository), and it has been defined in the context of the LASER project, a joint cooperation between Italsiel and the University of Maryland. Two major issues in reuse are component search and reusability estimation. In the ESTRO approach, component search and reusability estimation are supported by a repository of reusable components, classified according to a classification schema. Within the repository two reusability estimation models are available: with this regard, the distinction between reusability in the large and reusability in the small is introduced. The reusability models and the classification schema are environment dependent