Applying Analysis Patterns Through Analogy: Problems and Solutions.
Haitham S. Hamza, Mohamed E. Fayad · The Journal of Object Technology · 2004
Traceability and generality are among the main qualities that determine the effectiveness of developed analysis patterns.However, satisfying both qualities at the same time is a real challenge.Most of the analysis patterns are thought of as templates, where they can be instantiated, and hence reused through an analogy between the original pattern and the problem in hand.Developing analysis patterns as templates might maintain the appropriate level of generality; however, it scarifies patterns' traceability once they are applied in the developed system.In this paper, we illustrate the main problems with developing analysis patterns as templates and reusing them through analogy.In addition, we demonstrate, through examples, how stable analysis patterns [Hamza, 2002a,Hamza and Fayad 2002a] can satisfy both the generality and traceability, and hence, enhance the role of analysis patterns in software development. INTRODCUTIONIn the last decade, patterns have emerged as a promising technique for improving the quality and reducing the cost and time of software development [Schmidt et al., 1996, Gamma et al., 1995].A pattern can be generally defined as: "An idea that has been useful in one practical context and will probably be useful in others" [Fowler, 1997].The obscurity of doing accurate analysis along with the fact that analysis is a tedious and time-consuming activity both makes the development of effective and reusable analysis artifacts of great interest.Analysis patterns form a promising base for facilitating and improving the quality of performing analysis.Some essential quality factors an analysis pattern should maintain in order to contribute effectively to the development process.In this paper we focus on two of these qualities: traceability and generality.Generality means that the pattern that analyzes a specific problem can be successfully reused to analyze the same problem whenever it appears, even within different applications or across different domains.This quality factor is essential due to the fact J OURNAL OF OBJECT TECHNOLOGY V OL. 3, NO.