NAME: Evocative Pattern Name CATEGORY:
Pattern Structure and Semantics
- DIAGRAM:
- CONTEXT:You are writing a pattern (or pattern
language) that may need to be referred to by other patterns or
pattern languages.
- PROBLEM: How do you name a pattern so that it is easy to remember and refer to?
- FORCES:
- Patterns may vary
based on differences in problem, context, forces,
solutions, etc. or any combination of these. Each
combination may require a distinct pattern name.
- People should be
able to use patterns as a vocabulary, i.e., the identity
of the pattern becomes a "word" in a person's design
vocabulary.
- A name short
enough to use as a noun in a sentence may not convey
enough meaning to be understandable out of context.
- The most memorable
patterns are those who names conjure up a clear image of
the solution.
- Cute but obtuse
pattern names may be meaningful to the writer but few
readers will remember what they mean later.
- SOLUTION:Choose a pattern name that are likely to conjure up images which convey the essence of the
pattern solution to the
target audience. Imagine using the name in conversations or referring to it from other patterns. Test the name by having people unfamiliar
with the pattern description guess at what the pattern might be about based only on the pattern name.
- RATIONALE: As patterns are used to construct systems or to express how they are related to one
another, the name is used
without the accompanying description. A name chosen using this pattern is more likely to be understood which makes it more likely to
become part of the vocabulary of the readers.
