Patterns and Index Cells

James Coplien applied Alexander's theory to the design of software patterns. In a software pattern, there are interacting centers. The interaction can be specified using protocols.

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From the viewpoint of IC theory, the center can be specified by an IC cell. The interaction protocol is specified by the state transition and message exchange of the IC cells.

Therefore from this viewpoint, a software pattern can be specified as a collection of interacting IC cells, or an IC system.