9708643 The goal of this research is to devise and perform component integration experiments at the software architectural level that determine (1) what component interoperability problems exist, (2) what are solutions to those problems, and (3) which strategies for integration can perform those solutions. The value of this research is that it can provide developers with early knowledge of potential interoperability problems among software components. With this knowledge, developers can treat integration as a design decision, instead of only an implementation task. With the increased use of COTS applications, developers can choose between applications with similar functionality but fewer interoperability problems with in-house components, speeding productivity. Using research on software architecture, design patterns, and reports on integrating actual applications, the proposed research will define a catalog of architectural characteristics of software that contribute to interoperability problems. Integration strategies will be associated with their respective solutions to the conflicts that result from interleaving component characteristics. A knowledge based system will serve as an experimental testbed to determine the best integration strategy based on predefined conflict resolutions among characteristics. The research results, i.e., characteristics, conflicts, solutions, and strategies, will be provided to the developer to enhance design decisions and to formulate implementations. ***
