How are patterns represented?

Most researchers agree that patterns should be presented in structured form. The best way to describe a pattern depends on its intended usage. There are three major types of patterns identified by leading researchers of the field [1]

• The Alexandrian form

• The Design Pattern Catalog form

• A general form

One cannot say that one way to represent a pattern is better then the other. Each representation is useful for a specific use. We will first look at those three categories outlined by Dirk Riehle and Heinz Zullighoven and then look at other methods that were proposed by other researchers and industry.