Fuzzy techniques for software reuse

Abstract

This paper discusses uncertainties in software develop ment for reuse and maintenance. In particular, we present how fuzzy techniques can help in handling a source of uncertainty: the classification of components and their retrieval for reuse according to software behavioral properties. Behavioral classification is inherently imprecise, due to the fact that any components may exhibit several behaviors, depending on the application viewpoint. A model is described based on a repository where software descriptors ar stored. Descriptors contain lexical elements, characterizing software behavior, weighted using fuzzy sets. Fuzzy weighting expresse the imprecision of behavioral descriptions, and allows one to explore the repository via imprecise queries. The retrieval has adaptive capabilities based on observation by the system of users' choices of candidate components.