Issues on software reuse

The author reviews a number of the issues that will hamper the widespread introduction of software reuse for the Air Force. He provides recommendations on the steps to be taken now to lay the groundwork for reuse to become an accepted reality. He notes that the development of Ada and improvements in software engineering practices have reduced the technology barriers that have prevented reuse from becoming standard procedure. Technology barriers such as the maturity of Ada compilers still exist, but they are being addressed. Other major barriers that also need to be considered fall into the categories of acquisition, technical, and managerial issues. It is noted that software reuse with cataloging is a partial solution to the software crisis, but like most of the other parts of the solution, it requires a management appreciation for the software problem and a commitment to investing in capital for software support