This paper argues that retrieval of complex hard ware components is based on the use of architectural descriptions rather than functional descriptions, and explores the idea of bas ing software component retrieval on architectural descriptions. Architecture-driven retrieval is contrasted with retrieval based on keywords that characterize a few relevant properties and with deductive retrieval based on functional descriptions. A simple example, development of a component-based compiler, is used to ex plain how specification patterns in a architecture description language (Acme) can be used to drive component selection.

• main.pdf