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 sketches a high level reference model for CBSD to tense 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.