(1) A software development model that provides for consistent packaging of software components; the ability to upgrade part of a system as it is executing; the ability to control, monitor, and deploy software across global networks; and the ability to locate and implement services on a global scale. When developed according to the component model, components have interfaces that are rigorously implemented, are packaged into JAR files, and have dynamic execution environments.
(2) An architecture and an API that allows developers to define reusable segments of code that can be combined to create a program.