Pattern-based development of user-friendly web applications

ABSTRACT

Using patterns to preserve common problem-solving knowledge is a very popular approach. Each computer science community applies its own techniques to document engineering principles for the handling of recurring software development questions using patterns. Thus various pattern collections were evolved for dealing with specific problems of the respective community. As a result comparable patterns or redundant pattern descriptions exist in different collections leading unintentionally to a "reinvention of the wheel" time and again. Taking the development of a chat application as an example, we present an approach for integrating patterns from different software engineering disciplines. We transform problem patterns (problem frames) into solution patterns (design patterns) by using a case-based reasoning methodology to achieve a pattern-based software development process which systematically leads from natural language requirements to semi-formal near code level descriptions. We particularly consider non-functional software properties by combining design patterns of human-computer interaction (HCI) with software engineering (SE) patterns in order to support the systematic development of user-friendly software applications.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.3 INFORMATION STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL
      H.3.5 On-line Information Services
          Subjects: Web-based services

Additional Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.3 INFORMATION STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL
      H.3.4 Systems and Software
          Subjects: User profiles and alert services
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.2 User Interfaces (D.2.2, H.1.2, I.3.6)

  K. Computing Milieux
  K.6 MANAGEMENT OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS
      K.6.3 Software Management
          Subjects: Software development

General Terms:
Design, Human Factors, Theory

Keywords:
design patterns, human-computer interaction, problem frames, software engineering, usability