Design pattern support for Model-Driven Development

Design patterns document solutions to recurring design and development challenges. UML, as the de-facto modeling language in software development, aims to support defining and using patterns in models. However, as is demonstrated in the paper, the support is not sufficient for all kinds of patterns and all meaningful ways to use patterns. In this paper, the use of design patterns is suggested for documentation purposes in Model-Driven Development. The pattern support of UML is complemented with an approach that does not constrain the structures that can be used in patterns. The approach, which is tool supported in a model-driven development environment for control applications, also enables specification of part of the information content of patterns that UML leaves intact. The developed tool support includes instantiating and highlighting patterns in models and gathering of traceability information on use of patterns.