Methodology for component-based development of grid applications

Abstract

Component-based software technologies have emerged as a modern approach to software development for distributed and Grid applications. However, the lack of longer-term experience and the complexity of the target systems demand more research results in the field. This paper provides a generic method to develop applications based on a Grid Component Model (GCM). We discuss the main advantages of our methodology -- reduced development cycle, increased portability, and support of dynamic properties of the GCM-based component framework. We then introduce our integrated environment designed to enable component-based development of Grid applications. After that we illustrate the methodology using as an example the development of a complex distributed business process application for a biometric identification system. Finally, we report our initial findings and experiences of applying the methodology and the integrated environment, to best exploit the GCM framework.