Modules vs. components

[geoff-h -at- MTL -dot- FERIC -dot- CA]

 Jane Bergen asked for some help concerning terminology:

 <<We've been trying to come up with some consistent use of
 the terms "module," "component," and "plug-in" as they
 apply to software.>>

 I'm not aware of any standards, so here's my opinion based
 on the most common usage I've seen (YMMV) and on basic
 English wording: A component is some visually distinct
 functional part of the software, usually based on the user
 interface; icon bars, menus and command lines are different
 components. I don't like this word simply because it's too
 generic, and doesn't narrow things down enough for your
 problem. A module is a discrete piece of software that
 performs a single function or closely related set of
 functions; for example, accounting software usually has
 separate (but integrated) accounts payable and accounts
 receivable modules. A plug-in is something that you load
 only when necessary to fill a gap in the software's
 _built-in_ functions.

 <<Some of our products come as a suite (like Microsoft
 Office with Word, Excel, etc., perhaps). The user can
 choose among these pieces to install/not install them
 individually.>>

 Based on my definition and your MS Office analogy, these
 would be modules (e.g., the word processing and number
 crunching modules). If they're not particularly integrated,
 it might be better just to call them separate programs.

 <<Other of our software products comes as one application.
 Our developers add in certain "pieces" such as call
 control, server applets, etc. The user usually does not see
 that this software is anything but a single product. Its
 pieces are totally seamless and one installation does it
 all, with which pieces determined by the sale terms and our
 development team. No install options for the user to choose
 or reject.>>

 Again, modules. You would more likely call these plug-ins
 if the user had some ability to load or unload the modules.

 --Geoff Hart     @8^{)}     geoff-h -at- mtl -dot- feric -dot- ca
 Disclaimer: Speaking for myself, not FERIC.

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