Code reuse or software reuse is the idea that a partial or complete computer program 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 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. 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.
In order for newly written code to use a piece of existing code, some kind of interface, or means of communication, must be defined. These commonly include a "call" or use of a subroutine, object, or class.
Some code reuse involves simply copying some or all of the code from an existing program into a new one. Another technique is to use a software "generator" - a program which can create new programs of a certain type, based on a set of parameters the user chooses.
The general practice of using a previous version of an existing program as a starting point for the next version, could also be thought of as code reuse.
See also
External links
- RiSE - Reuse in Software Engineering
- Software Reuse - information and events concerning the practice of software reuse.
- http://frakes.cs.vt.edu/renews.html
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