Focussing on a standard pattern form

Abstract

A framework for the tool, MUIP (Management of User Interface Patterns), has been developed based on the relevant literature and a survey of existing pattern tools. The framework supports the following features: pattern authoring, manipulating forces, browsing patterns, searching patterns, versioning and customising patterns, relating patterns, manipulating collections and importing or exporting patterns. Patterns are described using the standard pattern form (PLML). An enhanced version of PLML, called PLML vl.2, has been developed so that pattern contents can be organised more effectively. Guided by this framework, a specification of a comprehensive pattern management system for manipulating dissimilar pattern collections was developed and a prototype implemented accordingly. A formal evaluation confirmed the usefulness of the prototype.