An application software generator automatically generates an application software unit. The application software generator includes an application composer that combines components extracted from a component repository with an application framework to generate the application software unit. Each component in the component repository includes a component shell, a component interface and a component core. The application framework includes configurable parameters that determine how the application software unit is generated and operates. The configurable parameters can be entered by a user using a graphical user interface. The user can be assisted using a wizard format. The application framework also provides connectivity between components so that they can pass messages to one another. The connectivity can be, for example, by a message bus or event registry and event dispatch. Components themselves can be automatically generated using the application software generator. Uses of the application software generator include creation of sensor/actuator networks and test script generation.