Pattern library for use-case-based application logic reuse

Abstract

This paper discusses the concept of patterns at a relatively early phase in software lifecycle, where detailed user-system dialogue (application logic) is defined. The dialogue is captured in generalised sequences of interactions performed by the system and its users, precisely linked with abstract domain vocabulary elements. We group individual interactions into sets of short scenarios which constitute “snippets” of system’s observable behaviour. In the paper we present several example patterns that form an initial library. We substantiate validity of the library with an example instantiation of patterns into a full and detailed use case specification. This instantiation consists in selecting patterns, combining them together and substituting abstract vocabulary elements with concrete ones. The resulting concrete application logic models can then be used as input to further automatic processing, including application code generation.