Models and languages for component description and reuse

Abstract

This paper brings together the current research on reusable component models and component description languages for reuse. The paper contains a description and comparison of the 3C and REBOOT component models. The importance and further development of the 3C model is discussed. The component description language field is surveyed, and an introduction is given to the languages LIL, ACT TWO, Π, Meld, CDL, CIDER, LILEANNA, and RESOLVE. All of these languages are aimed at describing reusable components in the design stages of development. Criteria for examining component description languages are introduced and used as the basis of a comparison of the languages. The paper concludes with suggestions for the convergence of these developments, and suggestions for further work in this field.