General talk about software patterns

["Jens Dietrich" <j.b.dietrich AT massey.ac.nz>]

Dear all,

We have recently released a new stable version of our webofpatterns (WOP)
tool. WOP is now Eclipse based, has a significantly improved scan engine,
and comprehensive support for collaborative software engineering (producing,
consuming and rating patterns). In particular: 

- WOP is based on the idea that there are patterns repositories published on
web (http) servers. 

- pattern repositories can be discovered using server side services. The
respective server adapters are defined as plugins for an extension point
defined in wop, implementations exist for del.icio.us, blogger blogs,
swoogle (semantic web search engine) and wopper (our own REST based server).


- users can easily extract patterns from an Eclipse java project, annotate
them with meta data and publish the respective RDF. For this purpose, there
is a publish extension point with existing implementations based on
del.icio.us (adds a bookmark), blogger, wopper and swoogle. 

- users can rate patterns. For this purpose, there is a feedback extension
point with implementations for del.icio.us and wopper.

- based on explicit and contributed meta-data rules can be used to select
good and trustworthy patterns. The default reasoning module is based on
SWRL, and can process explicit properties (URL patterns, isHTTPS,
DublinCore, ..) as well as properties contributed by plugins (like "number
of bookmarks for the pattern repository URL found on del.icio.us, average
user feedback rating registered by wopper, ..). There is an extension point
for "property providers". 

- a lot of processes (scanning, aggregation, property initialisation) are
now running in the background, making the entire application more
responsive. 

The software is free and open source (GPL), the sources can be accessed via
SF Subversion. GIVE IT A GO, AND LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK! Requirements:
Eclipse 3.1 or better, Java 5, the correct configuration of the proxy
(install/update preference page) is essential. Known issues: del.icio.us
returns 503s from time to time, in this case (incorrect) default values are
used. 

WebOfPatterns project home page:  http://www-ist.massey.ac.nz/wop 
Download: http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=104645 
 
Cheers, Jens

*******************************************
Dr Jens Dietrich
Senior Lecturer Computer Science
Institute of Information Sciences & Technology Te Kura Putaiao o
Hangarau-a-Mohiotanga Massey University Palmerston North New Zealand
Phone: +64 6 350 5799 ext 2212
Email: 
J.B.Dietrich AT massey.ac.nz
Web: http://www-ist.massey.ac.nz/JBDietrich/
*******************************************