Understanding Patterns in Software through Reverse Engineering

Abstract: Software patterns are common solutions to common problems. The key difference in making the most of such patterns lies in understanding what patters are actually used and how an organization or individual may improve their ways of designing software based on them. This paper presents the results of software pattern evaluations performed on five projects within a small game development organization. The aim of the study has been to reverse engineer the five projects, and to use the models and diagrams produced in the process as a foundation for the conversations and interviews with the developers. Additionally the analysis is looking at how design recovery in a number of different projects in house of one organization can support them in understanding their own patterns. The main contribution of this paper lies in the discussion around how reverse engineering and design evaluation can support organizations understanding of patterns, and how the understanding of software patterns can aid organizations in future development.