The CAPS software base management system must perform three main tasks: query by specification, component browsing, and component transformation. The ability to query the software base to find software components satisfying a given PSDL specification is an essential part of the rapid prototyping method supported by CAPS. Component browsing gives the designer the ability to locate and view components in a manner other than by PSDL query, and provides interim bottom-up guidance for developing decompositions until automated assistance for this function can be developed. Component transformation is required once a reusable component is located to materialize any needed generic instantiations in a form consistent with the coding conventions of the CAPS execution support system.