In addition to the writer's workshops, PLoP will also feature the
following events and activities:
The opening session will introduce you to the conference. It will
include an overview on the conference program, a game with George Platt, and a demonstration of a writer's
workshop. The pattern that will be discussed is:
The Null Object Pattern by Bobby Woolf
Null Object describes a special class with a customized interface
whose implementation is to provide null behavior. It is designed to be
used as part of a hierarchy of classes, all of which have the same
interface. Thus the client does not have to specially test for nil;
the nil behavior is encapsulated inside the null object.
We will have George Platt with us. George is a ``tangential thinking
co-ordinator.'' During the conference he will play some games with
us. These should provide a relaxed atmosphere that encourages open
communication and discussion, as well as keep you fit and clear-minded
for all the sessions.
This evening session will include the presentation of several papers
that describe the application of patterns to system design. The
authors will share their insights into the usage of patterns as well
as the results achieved. Each paper will be presented by the
author(s) in a twenty minute presentation, followed by a mini-workshop
where the moderator will poll the audience for Q&A, aspects of the
paper that the audience liked, and areas where the paper could be
further refined. The moderators are Kyle Brown from Knowledge Systems
Corp (KSC) and Steve Peterson from Sequent Computer Systems, Inc.
- 8.1 Using Patterns in Order Management Systems: A Design Patterns Experience
-- Kyle Brown (kbrown@ksccary.com)
- 8.2 A Pattern Language for Structuring
State-Space Search Applications (abstract)
-- Philip W. L. Fong, Edward Kim (kime@cs.sfu.ca), and Qiang Yang
- 8.3 Using the Strategy Design Pattern to
Compose Reliable Distributed Protocols
(abstract)
-- Benoit Garbinato (bast@lse.epflch), Pascal Felber, and Rachid Guerraoui
- 8.4 Design Patterns Achieve Reuse in CORBA Systems
(abstract)
-- Curt McKelvey (mckelvey@wrc.xerox.com)
- 3.6 The Command class for the Java AWT
(abstract)
-- Jan Newmarch (jan@pandonia.canberra.edu.au) (this paper originally
appeared in the Frameworks and
Architectures session).
- 9.1 Design Patterns at Different Scales
(abstract)
-- R.J.A. Buhr (buhr@sce.carleton.ca)
- 9.2 A Formal Language for Design Patterns
(abstract) amnon.ps
-- Amnon H. Eden (eden@math.tau.ac.il)
- 9.3 Patterns and Design Adaptability
(abstract)
-- Carl W. Irving (cwirving@ricis.cl.uh.edu)
- 9.4 The Graphical Depiction of Design Patterns
(abstract)
-- Carl W. Irving (cwirving@ricis.cl.uh.edu) and Colin Atkinson
- 9.5 A Methodology for Constructing a Design
Handbook for Object Oriented Systems (abstract) (authors are unable to make it to the
conference)
-- D Janaki Ram (djram@iitm.ernet.in), K N Anantha Raman, K N
Guruprasad and Suchitra Raman
In this session, Frank Buschmann will present a synopsis of the best
papers from the European
Conference on Pattern Languages of Programs.
Traditionally, PLoP has featured a number of informal ``Birds of a
Feather'' (BoF) sessions. Here is a sample of what we'll see at PLoP
'96:
- Patlets: Hillside Index of Patterns
This session will demonstrate Patlets, which is the Hillside index of
patterns that Ralph Johnson and his students have been working on.
- Pattern Topics for Graduate Student Research
This session is intended for graduate students who are interested in
doing M.S. or Ph.D. research on topics related to patterns and pattern
languages. The session will be organized by Tim Harrison.
- Patterns Book Signings
There will be many authors at PLoP this year who have written or
contributed to various books on patterns. Make sure to bring along
your copies of your patterns books and we'll hold a ``book signing''
festival during one of the evening social events.
- Writing Patterns Effectively
So you want to be able to write patterns? That's hard. And you want to
be able to write them effectively? That's even harder!
Here are just some of the issues you need to consider:
- What is a pattern: A recurring solution? Or the documentation of one?
- What is the difference between a pattern language, a pattern, an idiom, a
rule-of-thumb, etc.?
- Which pattern format is best: Alexander's? Gang of Four's? Another? Your own?
- How should patterns be named? Do we need a clearing committee?
- Which is better: A stand-alone pattern or a pattern language?
- What content must a pattern have to be a pattern?
- How many separate examples are required for a pattern to be a pattern? What
counts as separate examples?
This BoF will not be a lecture by me (or anyone else) on how to write
patterns. It will be a discussion amongst pattern writers about the
process of writing patterns.
You do not have to qualify to attend this BoF. All conference
attendees are welcome. However, you will have to qualify to make a
presentation. If you have some strong opinions about How to Write
Effective Patterns and would like to make a 5-10 minute presentation,
send me an outline (bwoolf@ksccary.com).
If you have any suggestions for BoFs please let Brian Foote or Doug Schmidt know soon.
The closing session will include a short presentation about major
homegroup results and give a general wrap-up of the conference. We'll
also ask for your feedback regarding your experiences at the
conference (i.e., do a writer's workshop on the conference ;-)) to
determine how we can improve the content and form next time. In
addition, we will discuss plans for the PLoP '96 book.
Back to PLoP '96 home page.
