about:describing_principles
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about:describing_principles [2013-02-18 17:36] – [Caveats] christian | about:describing_principles [2013-03-28 11:51] – improved and updated christian | ||
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===== Variants and Alternative Names ===== | ===== Variants and Alternative Names ===== | ||
- | Each principle may have several alternative names. This may be because the same principle has been described several times independently. A principle may also evolve over time, change its name, change its meaning, may be applied to other contexts, etc. So there may be several names referring basically to the same principle. This also means that the alternative names may roughly correspond to certain views on the principle. The views may differ slightly resulting in certain variations of the principle. | + | Each principle may have several alternative names. This may be because the same principle has been described several times independently. A principle may also evolve over time, change its name, change its meaning, may be applied to other contexts, etc. So there may be several names referring basically to the same principle. This also means that the alternative names may roughly correspond to certain views on the principle. The views may differ slightly resulting in certain variations of the principle. Alternative names are listed in this section and, if necessary, explained. The views may differ slightly resulting in certain variations of the principle. |
Alternative names are listed in this section and, if necessary, explained. Variations are also explained and, depending on the difference, may additionally be described on a separate wiki page. | Alternative names are listed in this section and, if necessary, explained. Variations are also explained and, depending on the difference, may additionally be described on a separate wiki page. | ||
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===== Context ===== | ===== Context ===== | ||
- | Principles apply in certain [[contexts: | + | Principles apply in certain [[contexts: |
===== Principle Statement ===== | ===== Principle Statement ===== | ||
- | The principle statement | + | The principle statement |
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===== Rationale ===== | ===== Rationale ===== | ||
- | Principles normally are not hard rules but rather heuristics or rules of thumb. So there is no formal proof showing that the principle is correct in each and every situation. Nevertheless there needs to be a reason for the principle, meaning some rationale explaining why it holds. In order to apply the principle, the rationale | + | Principles normally are not hard rules but rather heuristics or rules of thumb. So there is no formal proof showing that the principle is correct in each and every situation. Nevertheless there needs to be a reason for the principle, meaning some rationale explaining why it is valid. In order to assess whether |
===== Strategies ====== | ===== Strategies ====== | ||
- | This section lists strategies that can be used to transform a given solution in a way that the result better adheres to the principle. | + | The main idea behind principles is to assess solutions and not to construct solutions. Nevertheless applying principles may lead to the conclusion that a solution is not as good as it could be. This section lists strategies that can be used to transform a given solution in a way that the result better adheres to the principle. |
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Apart from the rationale there may be different evidence that the principle holds: | Apart from the rationale there may be different evidence that the principle holds: | ||
- | * [[wiki: | + | * [[wiki: |
- | * [[wiki: | + | * [[wiki: |
* [[wiki: | * [[wiki: | ||
* A principle may be both // | * A principle may be both // | ||
- | * [[wiki: | + | * [[wiki: |
===== Relations to Other Principles ===== | ===== Relations to Other Principles ===== | ||
- | There are certain relationships | + | There are certain relationships |
==== Generalizations ==== | ==== Generalizations ==== | ||
- | A //generalization// of the principle is another principle that can be applied in a broader context or one that is less demanding. The principle is always a //specialization// of its //generalizations//. A principle | + | A generalization of a principle is another principle that can be applied in a broader context or one that is less demanding. |
+ | |||
+ | The principle is always a specialization of its generalizations. | ||
==== Specializations ==== | ==== Specializations ==== | ||
- | A //specialization// is a more concrete principle that either applies in a narrower context, makes more prescriptions, | + | A specialization is a more concrete principle that either applies in a narrower context, makes more prescriptions, |
+ | |||
+ | The principle is always a generalization of its specializations | ||
==== Contrary Principles ==== | ==== Contrary Principles ==== | ||
- | Following the principle may have a negative impact on aspects addressed by other principles. These contrary principles are listed here and the consequence is explained. Like there is no guarantee that the principle itself is valid in every case, there is also no guarantee that there is the negative effect concerning the other principles. There is just a high probability that there is this effect. Therefore these principles should also be considered if this one is applied. | + | Following the principle may have a negative impact on aspects addressed by other principles. These contrary principles are listed here and the consequence is explained. Like there is no guarantee that the principle itself is valid in every case, there is also no guarantee that there is the negative effect concerning the other principles. There is just a high probability that there is this effect. Therefore these principles should also be considered if this one is applied. |
+ | |||
+ | As the relationships are purely for navigational purposes, the ``is-contrary-to'' | ||
==== Complementary Principles ==== | ==== Complementary Principles ==== | ||
- | A principle is always a reduction of the given design problem to a very specific aspect or effect. Other principles have to be considered too in order to have a full picture of the design problem. Sometimes when one principle is considered, another one is very likely to be relevant, too despite not being contrary. This is then a complementary principle. | + | A principle is always a reduction of the given design problem to a very specific aspect or effect. Other principles have to be considered too in order to have a full picture of the design problem. Sometimes when one principle is considered, another one is very likely to be relevant too despite not being contrary. This is then a complementary principle. |
+ | |||
+ | Similar to ``is-contrary-to``, | ||
==== Principle Collections ==== | ==== Principle Collections ==== | ||
This section lists all [[glossary: | This section lists all [[glossary: | ||
- | ===== Example | + | ===== Examples |
- | A self-contained | + | One or more self-contained |
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===== Further Reading ===== | ===== Further Reading ===== | ||
- | Apart from the original source which may be already mentioned | + | Apart from the original source which may be already mentioned |
about/describing_principles.txt · Last modified: 2013-09-05 20:28 by christian