SSFP approach to software reuse

This talk began by presenting the Space Station Freedom Program (SSFP) definitions of software commonality and software reuse. Software commonality is the use of identical, interchangeable, functionally compatible, or similar software items to satisfy different sets of functionally similar requirements. The Software Support Environment (SSE) and the Data Management System (DMS) of onboard computing facilities are examples of SSFP common software. Software reuse is the use of identical, compatible, or similar software items in either modified or unmodified form to satisfy development activities at any point in the software life cycle; in other words, taking an existing item and applying it to another development activity. Software commonality has been mandated in several critical areas (such as the SSE and DMS) and a policy directive is under review. A software reuse study group was established in May 1988 to gather background information (see Level 2 Software Reuse Study that follows by Scott Herman). The SSFP Program Definition and Requirements Document contains requirements for SSE support in the area of software reuse. The SSE is a collection of tools and rules, and provides the common environment to be used for the life cycle management of all SSFP operational software.