componentssuch

Componentssuch is a theoretical concept in component-based software design that describes a method for selecting and composing software components through declarative predicates. The term combines "components" with the notion of "such" queries, emphasizing the classic English phrase "such components as..." to identify a subset of components that satisfy specified constraints. In this approach, systems maintain a catalog of available components, each annotated with metadata such as capabilities, interfaces, dependencies, and quality attributes. A resolution engine takes a set of constraints and computes a compatible assembly by selecting components that satisfy the predicates and form a valid composition graph. The resulting assembly can be instantiated at load time or runtime, allowing for dynamic variation without code changes.

Usage typically involves defining a specification that states the required capabilities, constraints, and any non-functional requirements. For example, a UI framework might resolve "such components: Button with theme dark and accessible labels, size large" to select a button component that matches those properties. The approach supports decoupling of component authors from application builders and can enhance reuse, testing, and runtime configurability. It also aligns with declarative programming and plugin architectures.

Criticism centers on complexity, potential performance overhead during resolution, and the risk of opaque configurations that hinder readability. As a theoretical concept, componentssuch appears mainly in design discussions and speculative architectures, rather than as a widely adopted standard. Related ideas include component-based software engineering, declarative component composition, and policy-based or metadata-driven selection mechanisms.