Software Reuse Background

Software reuse is the process of implementing or updating software systems using pre-existing software assets.

Reusable assets can be from any part of the software development life cycle including: software components, objects, software requirement analysis and design models, domain architectures, database schemas, code documentation, test scenarios, and plans.

Some of the expected benefits of reuse include: lower development costs, higher productivity and better use of resources, reduced cycle time and quicker development, lower training costs, easier maintenance, higher quality, lower risk, better interoperability.

Theoretically, up to 85% of a new application can be developed by reusing existing software, about 65% that is domain specific and about 20% that is domain independent. Only about 15% of software that is application specific cannot be reused.

Previous page | Next page