Pattern : TERMINOLOGY TAILORED TO AUDIENCE

PROBLEM :How do you maximize the likelihood of the intended reader understanding your pattern?

CONTEXT : You are writing a pattern or pattern language and have identified a Clear Target Audience.

FORCES :

Concepts can be described using a variety of language styles and terminology.

Translating abstract concepts into concepts within a specific domain may be difficult for some people. The more concrete the terminology, the more likely it is to be understood by people familiar with the terminology.

The goal of a pattern is to be useful to the reader. If the reader doesn't understand the terminology, the pattern will not be as useful.

Using terms without defining them can lead to misunderstandings (i.e. false agreement).

Using too much audience-specific jargon may limit the potential audience.

SOLUTION : Use terminology that is tailored to the audience. Use only those terms with which the typical member of the audience could reasonably be expected to be comfortable. Test the terminology with representative members of the target audience. As part of the introduction be sure to inform the reader of the "default" terminology source. To ensure that you do not limit the audience unnecessarily, use the simplest language which effectively communicates the concepts. Include a Glossary of terms which may be unfamiliar. Introduce new terms in footnotes as they are encountered (or refer the reader to the Glossary.)

RESULTING CONTEXT : The pattern or pattern language may not be as understandable to those readers outside the Target Audience if the terminology is too specialized.

RATIONALE:A pattern that can be understood by the target audience is more likely to be useful.

EXAMPLES :This pattern language uses terminology specific to the patterns community. It does not explain terms such as Forces and Context because the Target Audience is already familiar with them and would be put off by detailed explanations