Abstract: A hierarchy of software components is created based on the programming constructs therein using a computer linked to a database having a collection of legacy software therein. Key component characteristics, e.g., programming constructs are defined. These constructs are assigned weights based on the difficulty or ease with which they can be reused in a new software component for use with a Web system or other network system. The legacy collection is searched to determine which, if any, of the key constructs are included therein. An ordered list is output that includes a list of the components containing the key constructs. The order of the list is based on the weight of the constructs in each component and the frequency with which they occur in each component. The list is then used to determine the effort and thus, the expense required to move entire components or blocks of code in the components into a Web system or other network system.

Abstract: A hierarchy of software components is created based on the programming constructs therein using a computer linked to a database having a collection of legacy software therein. Key component characteristics, e.g., programming constructs are defined. These constructs are assigned weights based on the difficulty or ease with which they can be reused in a new software component for use with a Web system or other network system. The legacy collection is searched to determine which, if any, of the key constructs are included therein. An ordered list is output that includes a list of the components containing the key constructs. The order of the list is based on the weight of the constructs in each component and the frequency with which they occur in each component. The list is then used to determine the effort and thus, the expense required to move entire components or blocks of code in the components into a Web system or other network system.