Anatomy of a Research Project in Predictable Assembly

Predictable assembly is the activity of predicting properties of assemblies of components prior to actually acquiring the components. Developing and using theories of composition is a core problem area for research in component-based software. A key objective of the Fifth ICSE Workshop on Component-Based Software Engineering is the identification and development of composition theories. We will discuss the general structure of composition theories, assess where progress is being made, and identify areas where more needs to be accomplished. To make this discussion efficient, it is essential that we obtain a clear understanding of what constitutes a problem of predictable assembly, and what qualities attend to their solution. Given the diversity of problem domains, component technologies and theoretical approaches to predictable assembly, establishing such a clear understanding is no trivial matter. Yet, the effort is worthwhile because it will prove useful not just to the workshop, but will be conducive to more productive discussions in the research community in the future as well.