The text is still evolving and will probably appear as a book some time later. The most recent version of the text is contained in the online documentation of BlackBox Component Builder. A free trial version of the BlackBox Component Builder can be downloaded here . Please send comments about the text to the author . The advent of component software may be the most important new development in the software industry since the introduction of high-level programming languages.
Component software combines the advantages of custom software and standard software.
It enables solutions which are better evolvable, i.e., which scale better, are more readily maintainable, can be extended over time, and can be modernized incrementally. The best answer depends on your particular situation and on what is available on the market, but the answer is rarely as clear-cut as you may like. 1.1 Custom software Writing your own custom software has important advantages. You have full control over the software, so you can fully adapt it to the changing needs of your business. If your software better supports your business than your competitor's does, you have a strategic advantage.