Retrieval of software components using a distributed web system

Software reuse is important, especially product reuse. This paper describes a retrieval system for software components, the most popular form of product reuse. The system is distributed and embedded in the web and is based on structured retrieval using a classification schema. After defining the requirements for the system, we first discuss the advanced outside functionalities of the component retrieval system, as its multi-paradigmatic classification approach, the ability to extend/change the schema, the navigational facility through different views, and the system's interface to search engines. Then, the most interesting topics of the system's realization are discussed, as dynamic web page generation and personalization, how the specific environments for different roles are built, how schema modification is handled, and how the system was designed being driven by software for reuse. Some measurements of the system's outside behavior and its convenience for users are given. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.