Call for Papers

September 8-12, 2002
Robert Allerton Park and Conference Center
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Urbana, IL, USA

Introduction

Software developers and researchers have long observed that certain themes recur and endure across different applications and different domains. The emerging interest in software patterns and pattern languages represents an effort to document and communicate these themes and to provide handbooks of proven solutions to common problems.

PLoP brings together practitioners and researchers whose interests span a broad range of topics, who share an interest in exploring the power of the pattern form. PLoP invites you to add your expertise to the growing body of patterns. At PLoP, we focus on improving the written expression of patterns through writers's workshops. You will have opportunities to refine and extend your patterns with the assistance of knowledgeable and sympathetic patterns enthusiasts and to work with others to develop pattern languages.

Topics

All aspects of programs and their production are suitable topics of pattern languages. Patterns might be so specific as to name particular objects, interface elements, or implementation structures in a solution. They might be so general as to document high-level architectures. They might describe configurations of hardware, software, or even people in the process of writing programs. Patterns may or may not be specific to a particular domain or programming language. The patterns community is particularly interested in pattern languages that document software and software development organizations.

Papers

The conference solicits papers written in pattern form and will consider papers that discuss aspects of the form or experiences using patterns. In addition, papers that refactor existing patterns into pattern languages are desired. The actual subject of patterns and pattern languages need not be original. Rather, preference will be shown to authors who are best able to exploit the patterns to document patterns of software. Authors will be able to revise their original patterns based on insights obtained at the conference's writers' workshops.

Submission will be handled electronically. See the conference's submission requirements for more details.

Special Considerations for Papers accepted to PLoP 2001

Due to the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001 there are a few papers that were accepted for workshopping at the PLoP 2001 conference, but whose authors could not attend the conference because of the difficulties in air travel associated with that week. Any papers that were accepted but not presented at last year's conference (as verified from a list of accepted papers to be provided by last year's program chair) will be considered as being pre-accepted for workshopping at this year's conference. We will also make special arrangements for shepherding of these papers; if you are an author from this preaccepted list and you would like to have your paper re-shepherded to further improve it, then you have that option. We will make those papers available for selection for shepherding by the shepherds after all of the papers newly submitted to this conference are selected. Furthermore, even if you do choose to have your paper re-shepherded, the paper cannot "lose" its accepted status; this is simply our way to allow you to update the paper and receive comments for further improvement prior to workshopping it at the conference.

Focus Topics

One of the concerns expressed about the writer's circle format of previous PLoP conferences is that while they are effective in providing comments on improving the form and style of the patterns papers workshopped, they are less effective at providing valid and helpful feedback on the content of the papers. To begin to address this concern, this year we are fostering cooperation among domain experts by allowing for the submission of "Focus topics" in special areas where we will seek for paper submissions.

In the past, we have seen groups of papers submitted in areas of particular interest to the patterns community, for instance, Analysis patterns, telecommunications patterns and J2EE patterns. We have also found that the strongest pattern languages that have emerged are those that are formed from the combined experience of several experts in a field. If you have a particular area of interest that you are interested in writing patterns for, and would like to collaborate with others in that area, then please submit a suggestion for a "Focus Topic" to the program chair prior to the Focus Topic deadline.

If your Focus Topic is accepted, then you will also be responsible for promoting that topic in whatever forum you choose. We will provide a mechanism by which other experts interested in that topic can find and contact each other and begin to collaborate on papers prior to the conference submission deadline. After the paper submission deadline, we will also provide a list of the authors who have submitted papers on the focus topics to each other, and encourage them to contact each other to continue interacting and collaborating prior to the conference.

Furthermore, we will keep those authors that have submitted papers on a particular Focus Topic together in a writer's circle during the conference, and provide additional time for Focus Topic authors to begin collaborating outside of the writer's circle workshops. We will also encourage the members of the Focus topic groups to read and comment on the papers for the topic prior to the conference, thus making it possible to more substantively improve the papers during the conference.

Refactoring Workshop Proposals

Linda Rising's book, The Pattern Almanac 2000, was one of the first major attempts at organizing and describing published patterns. Other groups have been interested in structuring pattern languages from existing patterns, such as those in the organizational, telecom and elementary pattern communities. It is the goal of the refactoring workshops to provide intensive, collaborative environments where those interested in forming or extending pattern languages can meet. This call for participation is for workshop organizers. A later call will occur for workshop attendees.

See the conference's submission requirements for more details.

Important Dates

Conference

The conference will be held at Allerton House, a mansion on a large, mostly wooded estate that is owned by the University of Illinois. Accommodations are available on site, in the nearby village of Monticello, or in Champaign-Urbana. Airport limousine service is available to and from the conference site.

In addition to writers' workshops, the conference will also offer discussions of patterns in other forums. Extra sessions during the day will focus on practical issues of interest to the patterns community. One evening plenary session will focus on a large-scale topic of interest to the community. Open time in the afternoons and evenings will offer attendees the opportunity to organize informal birds-of-a-feather sessions. Every effort will be made to provide an informal and creative atmosphere for the entire conference. The organizers are open to out-of-the-ordinary proposals as long as they, like patterns, celebrate the elusive quality called good design.

Registration

Everyone who plans to attend PLoP'2002 should register in advance. This includes authors, non-authors, students, staff, and conference organizers. Space is limited, so please register early.

Registration will also be handled electronically. See the conference web page for more details.

For More Information

If you have any questions, please check the PLoP home page. If you still can't find the answer, please feel free to contact the conference organizers:

Last modified: December 21, 2001