On the scalability problem in COTS-based programming environments

Abstract

This article reports on a software design experience in which the concept of scalability is applied to the architecture of a software development environment based upon Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) tools. The experience has raised many issues, which are summarized here together with attempts to analyse their origins and indicate solutions. We believe that problems with the introduction of scalability will be encountered by any project attempting the integration of heterogeneous COTS products.