Rule-based Reasoning Approach for Reusable Design Component Retrieval

Each phase of software development life cycle has the potential for reuse. However, according to the viewpoint of cost and reusability, the design phase is the most suitable phase for packaging the reusable software components. In this paper, we describe the design component knowledge extraction and representation method for component retrieval. The design knowledge is based on the principle of structured design and object-oriented design. According to the valuable and clearly design component knowledge, we generate a rule-based system which contains the component matching rules and retrieval supporting rules. Using these rules not only can assist the potential reusers retrieve the more suitable design component but also can improve component retrieval performance.