Component (glossary)

(1) An entity with discrete structure, such as an assembly or software module, within a system considered at a particular level of analysis.

(2) One of the parts that make up a system.

(3) set of functional services in the software, which, when implemented, represents a well-defined set of functions and is distinguishable by a unique name

Source

(1) ISO/IEC 15026:1998 Information Technology ― System and Software Integrity Levels. 3.1

(2) IEEE 829-2008 "IEEE Standard for Software and System Test Documentation". 3.1.6

(3) ISO/IEC 29881:2008 "Information Technology ― Software and Systems Engineering ― FiSMA" 1.1 functional size measurement method, A.4

Discussion

In systems terms we use component as the generic term for the level of decomposition at which system elements are no longer considered complex , and for which specialist design disciplines can be used.