Object-Oriented Design Patterns

II/1/2/11 Object-Oriented Design Patterns

Synopsis

Object-oriented patterns represent abstractions of good solutions to recurring problems in object-oriented software design. This abstractness means that a given pattern can be used in many different applications, which makes it a valuable tool for constructing reusable software and for helping object modellers achieve more effective results. However, patterns are invariably described informally in the literature, generally using natural language together with some sort of graphical notation, which makes it very difficult to give any meaningful certification of software developed using them.

In this project, we are attempting to develop a formal model of patterns which can form the basis for demonstrating that a particular design conforms to a given pattern.

Period

September 1998 to January 1999
November 1999 to June 2000

Partners

Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Neuquén, Argentina

Achievements

The project began as a case study conducted by Alejandra Cechich in which general properties of the structure of a range of different object-oriented patterns were specified. This work formed the contents of a UNUIIST Technical Report 151 and was also presented at and published in the proceedings of the 6th Asia-Pacific Software Engineering Conference (APSEC'99) Takamatsu, Japan, December 7-10, 1999.

In the current phase of the project, the model is being further developed to include behavioural properties of patterns, and at the same time it is being generalised to allow the matching between a general design and a specific pattern to be specified formally. This work is still in progress.

Plans

This project is expected to continue beyond the end of the current batch of fellowships.

iistinfo@iist.unu.edu, 7 March 2000

Object-Oriented Design Patterns