An extensible virtual digital libraries generator

In this paper we describe the design and implementation of the VDL Generator, a tool to simplify and automatise the Digital Library development process. In particular, we discuss how our approach to the realisation of this tool simplifies the task of implementing, extending and modifying such a fundamental component. This tool models its issue as a generic search problem that can easily be adapted to different application scenarios. In particular, to guarantee its extensibility we carefully identify, isolate and organise the VDL Generator constituents, i.e. (i) the set of logical components that can be used when designing a Digital Library, (ii) the set of physical components that by implementing the logical components contribute to implement the Digital Library and (iii) the search strategy exploited to accomplish the generation task. Furthermore, we report on the experiences matured in implementing and exploiting such an innovative service in the context of the Diligent EU funded project and discuss future plans for its consolidation.