ABSTRACT
We have covered the fundamentals of Component-Oriented Development and Assembly (CODA) using various component models in the earlier part of the book. In the previous chapter we provided a real-life case study problem using the point-of-sale (POS) application and solved it using CODA. CODA practice can be made easier and simpler with the help of tools like development tools, component storage and retrieval tools, assembly tools, and testing tools. The assembly phase of CODA can especially benefit by using the tools. For example, one needs to choose the right set of components for assembly. This can be made easier with an automated search for compatible components for a given component. The tool can further support visual assembly; the user can choose one of the suggested compatible components and build the assembly iteratively. For the purpose of demonstration of the usefulness of such a tool, we developed a fictitious tool called CODA Workbench. This tool is built using the OSGi component model, and the tool supports components developed using the OSGi component model. We present the usefulness of the tool through a visual assembly of the POS application in this chapter.
