# Component Type

A **component type** is a blueprint for a component that describes the type of entity the component refers to. In Akamas, a component needs to be associated with a **component type**, from which the component inherits its metrics and parameters.

Component types are platform entities (i.e.: shared among all the users) usually provided off the shelf and shipped within the [Optimization Packs](https://docs.akamas.io/akamas-docs/3.6/reference/glossary/optimization-pack). Typically, different component types within the same optimization pack are used to model different versions/releases of the same technology.

Akamas' users with appropriate privileges can create custom component types and optimization packs, as described on the [Creating custom optimization pack](https://docs.akamas.io/akamas-docs/3.6/knowledge-base/creating-custom-optimization-packs) page.

## Construct

A component type is described by the following mandatory properties (other properties can be defined but are not mandatory):

* a **name** that uniquely identifies the component type within the system
* a **description** that clarifies what the component type refers to
* a **parameter** definitions array (more on Parameters later)
* a **metrics** array (more on Metrics later)

The construct to be used to define a component type is described on the [Component type template](https://docs.akamas.io/akamas-docs/3.6/reference/construct-templates/component-types-template) page.

## Commands

A component type is an [Akamas resource](https://docs.akamas.io/akamas-docs/3.6/cli-reference#clireference-operations) that can be managed via CLI using the [resource management commands.](https://docs.akamas.io/akamas-docs/3.6/reference/cli-reference/resource-management)

## User Interface

When visualizing system components the component type is displayed.

The following figure shows the out-of-the-box JVM component types related to the JVM optimization pack.

<figure><img src="https://4103111959-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FzrIhBBVa4sw46ol13SWX%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-22d7887416547a27536c5c96c51e3842b7ec2d7f%2FScreenshot%202022-12-21%20at%2017.20.39.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>