Pii: S0950-5849(99)00071-3

The evolution of software reuse over the last 30 plus years is drawn upon to show current achievements, a stable model of components, an approach to reusing components based on architectures, an appreciation of human and organisational problems in reuse, accumulating evidence for the value of reuse approaches. The shortfalls of some current OO methods are pointed out. The significance and limitations of software reuse is indicated by situating it in the wider context of learning organisations and knowledge management, and by viewing architecture-driven reuse as routine design. The distinct role of patterns is indicated. q 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.