An object-oriented kernel for dynamical software integration

A generic approach for flexible software integration is presented. This approach is used for developing an object-oriented, integrated, and flexible working environment for experts in biology from a set of already available tools. It relies on the building of a flexible object-oriented superstructure encapsulating elementary tools and making it possible to build new tools dynamically. Thus, the environment can be adapted to the evolution of the user´s needs. The kernel of the implemented system is directly reusable to integrate any specific set of tools. It provides the basic mechanisms for generating a flexible global interface of a set of existing tools considered as a whole. The reasons which led to the proposed approach and the technique used to implement the superstructure are discussed