Code reuse: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 23:10, 26 March 2006

Revision as of 04:12, 28 March 2006

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'''Code reuse''' or '''software reuse''' is the idea that a completepartial or partialcomplete [[computer program]] or written at one time can be, should be, or is being used in another program written at a later time. The re-use of programming code is a common technique which attempts to save time and energy by reducing redundant work.

A very common example of code reuse is the technique of using a [[Library (computer science)|software library]]. Many common operations, such as converting information among different well-known formats, accessing external storage, interfacing with external programs, or manipulating information (numbers, words, names, locations, dates, etc.) in common ways, are needed by many different programs. Authors of new programs can use the code in the software library to accomplish these tasks, instead of "re-inventing the wheel" (by actually writing new code directly in the program to perform the operation). Library implementations often have the benefit of being well-tested and covering unusual or arcane cases. Disadvantages include the inability to tweak details which may affect performance or the desired output, and the time and cost of acquiring, learning, and configuring the library.

The software library is a good example of [[Abstraction (computer science)|abstraction]]. Programmers may decide to create internal abstractions so that certain parts of their program can be re-used, or may create custom libraries for their own use.