A Simplified Faceted Approach To Information Retrieval for Reusable Software Classification

Software Reuse is widely recognized as the most promising technique presently available in reducing the cost of software production. It is the adaptation or incorporation of previously developed software components, designs or other software-related artifacts (i.e. test plans) into new software or software development regimes. Researchers and vendors are doubling their efforts and devoting their time primarily to the topic of software reuse. Most have focused on mechanisms to construct reusable software but few have focused on the problem of discovering components or designs to meet specific needs. In order for software reuse to be successful, it must be perceived to be less costly to discover a software component or related artifact to satisfy a given need than to discover one anew. As results, this study will describe a method to classify software components that meet a specified need. Specifically, the purpose of the present research study is to provide a flexible system, comprised of a classification scheme and searcher system, entitled Guides-Search, in which processes can be retrieved by carrying out a structured dialogue with the user. The classification scheme provides both the structure of questions to be posed to the user, and the set of possible answers to each question. The model is not an attempt to replace current structures; but rather, seeks to provide a conceptual and structural method to support the improvement of software reuse methodology. The investigation focuses on the following goals and objectives for the classification scheme and searcher system: the classification will be flexible and extensible, but usable by the Searcher; the user will not be presented with a large number of questions; the user will never be required to answer a question not known to be germane to the query

Accurate free energy methods for model organic solids

We discuss existing free energy methods for use with investigation of solid-solid polymorphism. An alternative implementation for phase switch Monte Carlo is introduced which samples from two synchronised Markov chains exploring both polymorphs, using a set of generalised coordinates to transform between Markov chains. This is validated against the existing results for face-centred cubic (fcc) and hexagonal close-packed (hcp) hard sphere crystals. The extension to more complex crystals including flexibility and constraints is explored. This extension is applied to a hard sphere model of linear alkanes. A phase transition in density is accurately located between two polymorphs of n-butane with increasing density; this is suggested as a rigorous benchmark for free energy methods. We also demonstrate the importance of including anisotropic volume moves when simulating crystalline solids. Generalised coordinates for any fully flexible molecular system of soft particles are presented. These are used to investigate a coarse-grain model of cholesterol in regards to the polymorphic transition between two anhydrous cholesterol crystals. A phase transition in temperature is found and the limitations in the model are discussed

A Simplified Method for Implementing Run-Time Polymorphism in Fortran95

This paper discusses a simplified technique for software emulation of inheritance and run-time polymorphism in Fortran95. This technique involves retaining the same type throughout an inheritance hierarchy, so that only functions which are modified in a derived class need to be implemented