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 Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)/International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). ISO/IEC. 15026:1998. : 3.1

(2) IEEE 829-2008 "IEEE Standard for Software and System Test Documentation". Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Standards Association: IEEE 829-2008. : 3.1.6

(3) ISO/IEC 29881:2008 "Information Technology ― Software and Systems Engineering ― FiSMA 1.1 Functional Size Measurement Method" Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)/International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). ISO/IEC. : 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.