Project Title:

Icon-Based Software Component Access Using a Structural Model Based

American Research Corporation of Virginia
P. O. Box 3406
Radford, VA 24143-3406

93-1		06.10	0655			Amount Requested $70,000

Icon-Based Software Component Access Using a Structural Model Based 
on Partially Ordered Sets

Abstract:

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has 
identified the need for representation, indexing, storage, and 
retrieval of reusable software components.  To address this need, 
American Research Corporation of Virginia proposes the development 
of an icon-based software component access system using a model 
based on the theory of partially ordered sets.  Project objectives 
include development of a model of software structure based on 
partially ordered sets, development of a software database 
management system based on the proposed model, integration of the 
system with an interactive, graphical user interface, and 
evaluation of the system.  The effort proposed will demonstrate a 
proof-of-concept system for representation, indexing, storage, and 
retrieval of reusable software source components.  The results 
anticipated include development of a user-friendly software 
librarian system that is relatively simple to implement.  Expected 
NASA applications and benefits include simple and uniform access to 
reusable software developed throughout NASA and substantial savings 
in software development time and cost.

Potential commercial applications for the proposed system include 
use in software rapid-prototyping systems, and the development of 
software librarian systems for use in government, industry, 
universities, and research institutions that develop prodigious 
amounts of software.

Software Librarian, Representation, Reusability, Partially Ordered 
Set