Benefits of Componentization
5/10/2007
The primary goal of componentization is to reduce the size of a run-time image. Embedded devices typically have limited storage and footprint reduction is needed both in the platform and in your own software. Footprint reduction can also decrease your costs for media such as CompactFlash, or make room for more functionality to be added.
In addition to helping meet space requirements, componentization has the following benefits:
- Performance
Reducing disk and memory use can significantly improve performance of both the platform and your software. - Reliability
As a general rule, reliability increases with fewer executable files running and interacting with each other, devices, and the user. - Customization
Componentization allows for granular customization that is not possible using traditional setup programs. - Licensing
By using more customization, you can license very specific areas of functionality and more easily ensure compliance. - Security
Devices that contain only the components that are necessary for their functionality are inherently more secure, because they have a smaller surface attack area. Security can also be increased with components that add functionality such as encryption or anti-virus protection.