Modelling software components

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. This paper argues for a carefully selected set of techniques based on the Unified Modelling Language (UML), to provide accessible yet precise component models. The authors then sketch a high-level reference model for CBSD to tease 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