Towards Understanding the Use of Patterns in Software Engineering

Abstract

There are a number of avenues of articulating experiential knowledge, including patterns. However, the mere availability of patterns does not lead to their suitable use, if at all. In order to establish a systematic approach for using patterns, a pattern stakeholder model and a general, process environment-neutral and domain-independent pattern usage model are proposed, and the relationships between them are underscored. The underlying essential and accidental concerns in putting patterns into practice by pattern stakeholders are highlighted and, in some cases, possible resolutions are suggested. In particular, challenges in acquisition, selection, and application of patterns are discussed.