The structure of patterns

ABSTRACT

This paper aims at learning more about the structure of patterns by examining a very simple and intuitive example of a pattern: a path as a solution to reach a goal. A path is obviously bound to its environment and this happens to be a good starting point to emphasize why the context of a pattern is so important. By visual illustration one will find that it is the environment with its embedded forces that shapes the possible solutions. On a map this relation can literally be seen. Paths and their representations on maps are very well known concepts. This allows the use of common sense to understand properties of patterns that are otherwise hard to grasp. The difference between patterns of things in the world and their description as patterns becomes clearer.

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Index Terms

• Software and its engineering

  • Software notations and tools

    • General programming languages

      • Language features

        • Patterns

  • Software organization and properties

    • Software system structures

      • Distributed systems organizing principles

        • Client-server architectures

      • Software architectures