LePUS - A Declarative Pattern Specification Language

At present, the only means used for specifying design patterns are contemporary object notations [Rumbaugh et. al 91; Booch 94], lengthy verbal descriptions, and sample programs. The inherent ambiguity and incompleteness of these means preclude devising tool support and fuel disputes over “their true intention”. We identified a compact set of abstractions with simple graphical representation, which translates to precise, higher-order logic language. The visual language we present was construed to straightforwardly reflect regularities in design patterns and in O-O software in general. Several illuminating examples are analyzed to demonstrate the use of this language.