Abstract: This article introduces the Aster configuration-based programming system that eases the construction of distributed applications having different requirements upon the underlying runtime environment. Our approach lies in systematic customization of the distributed runtime system with respect to application constraints. Customization is achieved through re-use of available software components implementing system-level functionalities. Furthermore, in order to foster utilization of the Aster system for the development of real-size applications, the Aster system builds on the CORBA OMG standard, i.e., Aster applications run on top of any ORB-compliant platform.

Keywords: Specification matching, CORBA, heterogeneous software interconnection, customization, configuration-based system, distributed system.