Reusable template for product database development

The paper presents a software reuse approach to show how industrial databases can be built rapidly. We use building product database development as an example to demonstrate the effectiveness of such an approach. The software reuse effort originates from previous knowledge-based system applications. Background information about the reusable knowledge-based system information is provided. We discuss in detail from a practical angle on how the existing resources may be adapted into new applications. The obtained product database template has got its unique features which are its simplicity and adequacy in describing a broad range of complex as well as simple data types, and is capable of storing multimedia information. The product database template was extensively tested and found to be robust and effective in a variety of applications, and is now moving into practical use.