Pitfalls in Traditional Software Patterns
In the above columns we highlighted fourteen of the major problems that are believed to diminish the strength of the role of patterns in developing software systems.
CONCLUSIONS
Pattern development poses several unique challenges to the pattern developers, like the ones clearly highlighted in the previous columns. These challenges tend to diminish the strength of the role of patterns in developing software systems, subsequently contributing to the ineffectiveness of patterns. Probably, nothing can be as damaging as misusing the term experience while attempting to design and write patterns; in fact, this misplaced feeling or perception could severely dent the quality of the developed patterns. Another curious problem does occur in the realm of creating a large number of pattern, when most of them represent and deal with almost the same problem. Frequent duplication of efforts in writing patterns will also make it very cumbersome to devise a common vocabulary for pattern development. Novice and fresh developers of patterns may also get confused while selecting the right and appropriate pattern for a pool of candidate patterns; in many cases, inexperienced pattern developers lack the knowledge of clear guidelines.
Pattern designers also face the piquant situation of differentiating between analysis and design patterns, while there is an immediate need for developing patterns that are easy to understand