Abstract: A computing system includes a computer network, a server connected thereto, and a client device for communicating with the server over the computer network. The client device runs an application shell software module providing a dynamically configurable application in a piecemeal manner by individually downloading and running a plurality of software components that are individually stored on the computer network and downloaded/run when needed. The server receives a request for available software components from the application shell software module, controls a search of an index for available software components and transmits a response to the application shell software module providing details of available software components.