Structured document framework for design patterns based on SGML

Design patterns are abstract software components for system structures and functions used in OOA/OOD. They are described currently as texts (with figures), and difficult to catalog, maintain and handle. The paper presents a framework to describe patterns as structured documents based on SGML (Structured Generalized Markup Language). A design pattern, in general, has three elements: texts, configuration charts and pseudo-codes, therefore SGML schemes are proposed for them respectively so that they are integrated into a single structured document. The document also includes link to related pattern documents and corresponding class source codes. This SGML-based pattern document is visualized by automatic HTML conversion and automatic chart generation. And the document is used for interactive code generation