The Software Reuse Working Group: A Case Study in Fostering Reuse

Abstract

Packaging software assets for reuse can improve the potential for others to adopt the software. Packaging the software with appropriate documentation and other resources can facilitate decision-making by those considering adoption and can enable them to implement the software more efficiently. Software that can be easily integrated is more likely to be shared with others and reused by the recipients. The NASA Earth Science Data Systems (ESDS) Software Reuse Working Group has been chartered to oversee the process that will maximize the reuse of potential software components. As part of this work, a portal Web site was created to support reuse practices within the Earth science community. This portal also serves as an example of reuse practices, both as a recipient and as a contributor to reuse. This paper describes the assets that were reused to develop the software reuse portal. For each asset reused, we identify the type, format, and licensing restrictions. This case study exemplifies reuse at various scopes such as the application, component, and function level. Aside from consuming reusable assets, the software produced was also made available for reuse. We address proper packaging methodologies to foster easy integration and reuse. We obtain various reuse metrics based on an analysis of the final system and the impact in our community. We identify caveats in current metrics such as consideration for emerging technologies and intangible benefits.