Ontology - driven observer pattern

Abstract

We propose an ontology driven observer pattern which not only mitigates the drawbacks identified in the GoF observer pattern but also mitigates the drawbacks which occur in the general usage of patterns. We separate and encapsulate the pattern logic in an ontology component which increases the reusability of the pattern at the implementation level as well. The proposed solution enables to change the classes participating in the pattern even at runtime. Even the users/non-programmers can make changes in the pattern to change the application behavior. It enables identification of a pattern present in a code and also allows easy change, addition/removal of the pattern to/from the code. The proposed pattern also decouples the participant classes from each other thereby enhancing the reusability and modifiability of each of the participant classes.