A process-oriented approach to software component definition

Abstract

Commercial software component models are frequently based on object-oriented concepts and terminology with appropriate binding, persistence and distribution support. In this paper, we argue that a process-oriented view on cooperating software components based on the concepts and terminology of a language/action perspective on cooperative work provides a more suitable foundation for the analysis, design and implementation of software components in business applications. We first explain the relationship between data-, object- and processoriented component modeling and then illustrate our process-oriented approach to component definition using three case studies from projects with German software companies. We also report on our experience gained in developing a class framework and a set of tools to assist in the systematic process-oriented development of business application components. This part of the paper also clarifies that a process-oriented perspective fits well with today's object-oriented language and system models.