re·use  (rē-yōōz')  tr.v. re·used, re·us·ing, re·us·es To use again, especially after salvaging or special treatment or processing. re·us'a·bil'i·ty n., re·us'a·ble adj. & n., re·use' (-yōōs') n. |
reuse
Using code developed for one application program in another application. Traditionally achieved using program libraries. Object-oriented programming offers reusability of code via its techniques of inheritance and genericity. Class libraries with intelligent browsers and application generators are under development to help in this process. Polymorphic functional languages also support reusability while retaining the benefits of strong typing.
See also DRAGOON, National Software Reuse Directory, RLF.