Re: Request for reuse tool info

[noc.near.net!mv!world!srctran@uunet.uu.net (Gregory Aharonian)]

>I am investigating tools supporting software reuse. I'm interested in both
>....
   This question reveals another way how the DoD is ignoring the free markets.
In this case, the DoD through STARS and other efforts, is wasting a lot of
money developing reuse retrieval tools.  However, there are commercial
solutions available now, that don't require any government funding.
   My favorite approach, is to use any of the commercial relational databases
and develop a schema for describing a reusable component (an easy task,
already done).  Next I would load the database with all of the requisite
information.  I would then use one of the natural language interfaces
(Natural Language in Berkeley has a great system) to interface with the
relational database.  Then I could enter "Retrieve all radar signal
processing software in Ada that is not classifed and is less than 100
lines of code" (which these natural language systems can handle), and
out comes my response.  For some time, I have been trying to raise 
funding in the real world to implement this approach for my database of
information on 20,000+ government and university programs in source code
form, since it would make a great product  (and illustrate how irrelevant
most government reuse are).
   The point is is that the DoD is funding the development of reuse
retrieval tools that can quickly be put together with technology already
available in the commercial marketplace.  But as usual, the DoD would
rather fund competing development efforts, to create more turf to preserve.

Greg Aharonian
Source Translation & Optimization
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Greg Aharonian
Source Translation & Optimiztion
P.O. Box 404, Belmont, MA 02178