Understanding and using patterns in software development

Patterns have shown to be an effective means of capturing and communicating software design experience. However, there is more to patterns than software design patterns: We believe that patterns work for software development on several levels. In this article we explore what we have come to understand as crucial aspects of the pattern concept, relate patterns to the different models built during software design, discuss pattern forms and how we think that patterns can form larger wholes like pattern handbooks. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.