This is the ability of an existing component to be incorporated or modified to fit into multiple models or applications.
Reusable Component
An object or defined collection of objects in any stage of the development life cycle that may be used in multiple applications. Reusable components may be of the following types:
* Application: an entire system, that may be reused as is or modified to fit the user requirements.
* Building Block: a part of a system that may or may not be able to stand on its own, such as an algorithm, a structure, a library module, a help system or knowledge of great complexity.
* Application Shell: an outline of the generic components of an application, that may include comprehensive features common to applications, such as security, auditability, checkpoint-restart, protection from failures, human factoring, cooperative processing, etc., where the developer fills in the shell with the specific application details. The resultant product is less likely to have errors, instability, omissions and misunderstandings.
* Template: a pattern that can be copied to create a component with the same or similar characteristics as the template. Examples include structures to indicate choices such as dialog box, action bar, pull-down menus; transaction processing dialogs; data entry screens; HELP screens; error messages; environments, such as windowing.
* Generic Data Model: a generalized data model for an industry or line of business.
* Data Structure: a record structure or a portion of a database.
* Communication Standards: standard communication formats for exchanging information. Examples of standard formats include ANSI X.12, X.400 (electronic mail), ISO EDIFACT.
* Documentation Standards: standards for the kind and format of information to include in technical and user documentation. Examples include standard table of contents for each type of manual, diagramming standards, reusable templates and text for a "Getting Started" manual.
Building Block
This is an existing component that may be used to build a system.
Reusable Construct
This is a system component that may be used without change in more than one application. Common examples are library modules and help screens.
Generic Reusable Construct
A component that implements a feature or features common to most computer applications. Examples of generic constructs are start module, command processor, menu module, security module, work module, transaction processor, query module, user dialog module, error processor and stop module.
Application-Specific Reusable Construct
A component that implements a feature or features used by a particular kind of application and is applicable to a number of situations in the application.
Reusable Object
This is an object that may be useful in implementing more than one application.
Reusable Object Library
A repository specifically defined to contain reusable objects for an enterprise.
Reusable Structure
This is an application-specific or generic component or a skeleton that may be used in more than one application.
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Section Overview : Development Technique Concepts
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