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From: rcd@ico.isc.com (Dick Dunn)
Newsgroups: comp.software-eng
Subject: Re: Reusability considered harmful??(!!)
Summary: drawing a better line
Keywords: Reusability, Division of Labor
Message-ID: <1991Feb5.232524.29757@ico.isc.com>
Date: 5 Feb 91 23:25:24 GMT
References: <6108@stpstn.UUCP>
Organization: Interactive Systems Corporation, Boulder, CO
Lines: 20

cox@stpstn.UUCP (Brad Cox) writes:
> What do you think of this notion?

> Could it be that we (reusability proponents) are shooting ourself in
> the foot with the word, "reusability", just as the AI community did
> themselves in with a term of their own choosing, "artificial
> intelligence"?

Depends on what group of people you're talking to.  I do think that, as far
as "programmers" (or whatever title you choose, be it exalted or humble--I
mean the people who create software) are concerned, it's too easy to
consider "reusability" a red herring.  Why?  Because they reuse software
all the time, and have been doing so for decades!  There is nothing new
about "reusability" in a broad sense...so, assuming that you mean something
more specific, you need a more specific term to identify what's new and/or
different.  Otherwise, I'm guessing that people assume you're preaching to
the choir, and tune you out.
-- 
Dick Dunn     rcd@ico.isc.com -or- ico!rcd       Boulder, CO   (303)449-2870
   ...Don't lend your hand to raise no flag atop no ship of fools.