A formal approach to software components classification and retrieval

We propose an approach to reuse-based software development using a formal method. In our approach, each software component is annotated with a set of predicates to formally describe the component and is classified using a faceted scheme. A user may retrieve components from the library using either keywords or predicates. When a component is retrieved, it is checked to determine if it matches the requirements. Then, the component is integrated with the designed system, along its required functionalities. The integrated component/system as transformed into a Predicate/Transition net (PrT net) to perform consistency checking. If there is no inconsistency, the component may be adapted or incorporated directly. Otherwise, the conditions that cause the inconsistency will be revealed. The user may decide to search the library again by modifying the query specification and restart the whole process, or to terminate the search