What is software reuse?

Answer 1

The idea of software reuse is fundamentally simple: build software assets (code, libraries, frameworks, services, applications even) that can be used over and over again. Software reuse aims to allow reuse of software assets across projects and provides several benefits. Reduction in development and testing time, increased quality, ability to release new products and services quicker to the marketplace are all benefits of software reuse. Reuse has a rich history with the software community. Achieving success with software reuse isn't easy and needs several orchestrated activities to get the full benefits. To see a list of common reasons why reuse fails see here:

http://softwarereuse.wordpress.com/2009/04/12/top-reasons-why-systematic-software-reuse-efforts-fail/

Vijay Narayanan

http://softwarereuse.wordpress.com

Answer 2

All corporate reuse leads to lower costs, software reuse is no different. Several statistics (courtesy of Capers Jones):

• Reusable designs increases productivity by 18.0% and quality by 26.7%
• Reusable architecture increases productivity by 20.0% and quality by 30.0%
• Reusable feature certification increases productivity by 20.0% and quality by 30.0%
• Reusable source code (zero defect) increases productivity by 20.0% and quality by 30.0%

And these are only some areas where reuse makes a difference in software projects. So we need software reuse because it leads to lower defect products and less expensive costs of development.

Answer 3

The Primary characteristic of software reusability is "the extent to which the software can be used in other applications".