Using hypertext in selecting reusable software components

software reuse; software libraries; component selection; hypertext; Kiosk. Recently, there has been increasing interest in software reuse as a way to improve software quality and productivity. One of the major problems with reusing libraries of software components is helping users effectively select (find and understand) components of interest. This paper explores the use of hypertext to enhance the process of component selection through a prototype system called Kiosk. Included are discussions of the selection process, why hypertext is well suited for supporting selection, and important characteristics of hypertext systems intended to support reuse. Also discussed are how reusable libraries can be structured using hypertext, how these structured libraries can be mechanically built, and how their use enhances the component selection process.