How do you choose the right level of abstraction and detail for documenting patterns?

1 What are patterns and why document them?

Patterns are general and reusable solutions to recurring problems in a given context. They capture the essence of a problem and its solution, without being tied to a specific implementation or technology. Documenting patterns helps you share your knowledge and experience with other developers, as well as improve the consistency and quality of your code. Patterns can also help you avoid reinventing the wheel, as you can leverage existing solutions that have been proven to work.

2 How to choose the level of abstraction for documenting patterns?

The level of abstraction for documenting patterns refers to the degree of generalization or specificity in describing the problem and solution. A high level of abstraction focuses on core concepts and principles, while a low level of abstraction provides concrete examples and code snippets. The level of abstraction should be determined by factors such as the purpose and audience of the documentation, the scope and complexity of the problem and solution, and the variability and flexibility of the pattern. Generally, you should strive to find a balance between capturing the essence and value of the pattern, while also providing enough clarity and guidance for readers.

3 How to choose the level of detail for documenting patterns?

The level of detail for documenting patterns is determined by how much information and explanation you provide about the problem and solution. A high level of detail would include all aspects and nuances of the pattern, such as its motivation, structure, behavior, consequences, and variations. On the other hand, a low level of detail would just provide basic information without any additional details. The level of detail you choose should take into account factors like the purpose and audience of your documentation, the scope and complexity of the problem and solution, and the level of completeness and accuracy of the pattern. Generally speaking, you want to select a level of detail that is sufficient to provide reliable information about the pattern but also not too high so as to avoid overwhelming or distracting your readers.

4 How to structure your documentation for patterns?

The structure of your documentation for patterns is essential to ensure your message is conveyed clearly and logically, while also making the documentation easy to read and navigate. A widely used format for structuring your documentation is to include a name, intent, motivation, structure, behavior, consequences, variations, and related patterns. This structure is not fixed and can be adapted; however, it provides a helpful guideline for documenting patterns effectively. The name should be short and descriptive; intent should describe the pattern’s purpose in one or two sentences; motivation should explain why the pattern is useful; structure should show how elements relate to each other; behavior should describe the pattern’s actions or events; consequences should list the benefits and drawbacks of using the pattern; variations should list alternative versions of the pattern; and related patterns should mention any other patterns that are similar or complementary to the pattern.

5 How to review and refine your documentation for patterns?

The final step in documenting patterns is to review and refine your documentation to ensure that it meets your goals and the expectations of your readers. To do this, you can self-review by reading it critically and checking for errors or ambiguities. Additionally, you can ask other developers who are familiar with the problem and solution to provide feedback. You can also test your documentation by applying it to real or hypothetical cases, and updating it for accuracy, consistency, and relevance. Through this process, you can improve the quality of your documentation and increase your confidence as a developer.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?