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Pattern Solutions

Use patterns to drive productivity in software design and development

Patterns forum

Be part of the discussion forum about patterns. Find out how to author and implement patterns to improve productivity in software development. Brainstorm and collaborate about new pattern ideas with your colleagues. Troubleshoot existing patterns. Share patterns, articles, or ideas.

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Patterns glossary of terms

Glossary
TermDefinition
ArtifactA logical or physical element of an asset (A logical asset is a container of at least one physical artifact; physical artifacts correspond to a file on a file system and represent a workspace product.)
AssetA solution to a software development problem (The problem can be related the evolution of the system's artifacts or to the targeted domain problem.)
FrameworkAn architectural pattern that provides an extensible structure for applications within a domain
IdiomAn implementation pattern specific to a certain programming language or development culture, which represents a conventional use of the language
In-situ substitutionA pattern authoring time-substitution specification strategy where a substitution point is indicated by the relative location of a substitution declaration within a customizable solution artifact
Meta-toolAn open extensible environment for developing and using microtools
Micro-toolA component designed to implement a small cohesive unit of tooling functionality
PatternA common, reusable solution to a common problem (In the context of software development, patterns represent an element of reuse higher than lines of code or individual classes and components.)
Pattern bindingThe assignment of values to a pattern's parameters; the specification of an abstraction instance to be used as input for a pattern instantiation
Pattern instantiationThe process of generating customized solution artifacts by making substitutions at the pattern's variability points
Pattern libraryA collection of interrelated patterns
Pattern solutionA collection of patterns knit together, as a recipe, to solve larger-grained problems
Pattern specificationDescription of a pattern, generally in a textual format supported by models and other images (A pattern specification may be implemented by one or more pattern implementations.)
Pattern implementationAn implementation of a pattern specification [There are various forms of implementation such as a Rational Software Architect/Rational Software Modeler (RSx) pattern or an RSx transformation or a Design Pattern Toolkit (DPTK) pattern, and so on.]
RASAcronym for Reusable Asset Specification, an OMG standard for documenting and packaging reusable assets
RecipeA set of ingredients, including patterns, which allows substitutions and a prescriptive order for combining them to realize an intended solution
Reference solutionA best practices solution to a problem in a domain; a solution that serves as an exemplar for a pattern
Reusable assetAn asset developed with reuse in mind
Solution artifactAn artifact of a solution; in the context of a customizable solution provided by a pattern, an artifact with variability points
Solution abstractionAn abstraction of the reference solution that reveals it points of variability, but which hides any solution invariants
Substitution rulesA pattern authoring time substitution specification strategy where the substitution point is indicated by a path expression that evaluates to zero or more locations within customizable solution artifacts
TemplateA pattern implemented using substitution rules
TransformationSentio aliquos togatos
Variability pointA point in an artifact that is expected to be modified when the asset is applied to a target application
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