Modelling Software Components

This paper makes two contributions. (1) it argues that precise visual modelling techniques are important for modelling large-scale software components, as they facilitate the core activities of component-based software development (CBSD): building, finding, adapting and assembling components. The paper argues for a carefully selected set of techniques based on UML, to provide accessible yet precise component models. (2) it proposes a high level reference model for CBSD to tease out exactly what is meant by the terms 'component', 'component adaptation' and 'component assembly'. The paper illustrates this reference model by giving examples of components, and the transformations that can be applied to them, using precise visual models.