Written by leading experts from around the world this book presents the latest concepts and practices in CBSE. While detailing both the advantages and the limitations of CBSE, the book's underlying aim is to define this new field, to frame the discussion, and to ensure that managers and engineers have the background they need to ask good questions and make informed decisions about components. Beginning with some carefully wrought definitions, the book moves on to cover nearly every aspect of component engineering--from software engineering practices to the design of software component infrastructures, technologies, and systems. The book includes specific examples of CBSE successes and failures, and provides a balanced overview of the complexities of the component-based software life cycle.