  Computational scientists are facing a new era where the old ways of
developing and reusing code have to be left behind and a few daring steps are
to be made towards new horizons. The present work analyzes the needs that drive
this change, the factors that contribute to the inertia of the community and
slow the transition, the status and perspective of present attempts, the
principle, practical and technical problems that are to be addressed in the
short and long run.
