pattern A pattern is a regularity in the world, in human-made design, or in abstract ideas. As such, the elements of a pattern repeat in a predictable manner. A geometric pattern is a kind of pattern formed of geometric shapes and typically repeated li ...

is an original object used to make copies, or a set of repeating objects in a decorative design and in other disciplines. Pattern, patterns, or patterning may also refer to:

Mathematics, science, and technology

Computing

Software design pattern In software engineering, a software design pattern is a general, reusable solution to a commonly occurring problem within a given context in software design. It is not a finished design that can be transformed directly into source or machine co ...

, a standard form for a solution to common problems in software design. ** Architectural pattern, for software architecture ** Interaction design pattern, used in interaction design / human-computer interaction *

Pattern recognition Pattern recognition is the automated recognition of patterns and regularities in data. It has applications in statistical data analysis, signal processing, image analysis, information retrieval, bioinformatics, data compression, computer graphics ...

, in machine learning * In

machine learning Machine learning (ML) is a field of inquiry devoted to understanding and building methods that 'learn', that is, methods that leverage data to improve performance on some set of tasks. It is seen as a part of artificial intelligence. Machine ...

, a non-null finite sequence of constant and variable symbols *

Regular expression A regular expression (shortened as regex or regexp; sometimes referred to as rational expression) is a sequence of characters that specifies a search pattern in text. Usually such patterns are used by string-searching algorithms for "find" ...

, often called a pattern

Other

* Airfield traffic pattern, the traffic flow immediately surrounding a runway *

Design pattern A design pattern is the re-usable form of a solution to a design problem. The idea was introduced by the architect Christopher Alexander and has been adapted for various other disciplines, particularly software engineering. The "Gang of Four" boo ...

, a standard form for a solution to common problems in design **

Pattern book A pattern book, or architectural pattern book, is a book of architectural designs, usually providing enough for non-architects to build structures that are copies or significant derivatives of major architect-designed works. A number of pattern boo ...

, a book of architectural designs ** Pattern (architecture), a standard form (pattern language) for a solution to common problems in architecture **

(see above) *

Pattern formation The science of pattern formation deals with the visible, ( statistically) orderly outcomes of self-organization and the common principles behind similar patterns in nature. In developmental biology, pattern formation refers to the generation of ...

, the processes and mechanisms by which patterns such as the stripes of animals form; also, a science dealing with outcomes of self-organisation *

Pattern language A pattern language is an organized and coherent set of ''patterns'', each of which describes a problem and the core of a solution that can be used in many ways within a specific field of expertise. The term was coined by architect Christopher Alexa ...

, a structured method of describing good design practices * Pattern theory, a mathematical formalism to describe knowledge of the world as patterns *

Patterns in nature Patterns in nature are visible regularities of form found in the natural world. These patterns recur in different contexts and can sometimes be modelled mathematically. Natural patterns include symmetries, trees, spirals, meanders, waves, ...

, the visible regularities of form found in nature and explained by science * Pedagogical patterns * In

ethnomethodology Ethnomethodology is the study of how social order is produced in and through processes of social interaction.Garfinkel, H. (1974) 'The origins of the term ethnomethodology', in R.Turner (Ed.) Ethnomethodology, Penguin, Harmondsworth, pp 15–18. I ...

, a (generally non-rigid) routine

Manufacturing

* Multiple patterning, a class of technologies for manufacturing integrated circuits * Pattern (casting), a replica of the object to be cast *

Pattern coin A pattern coin is a coin which has not been approved for release, but produced to evaluate a proposed coin design. They are often off-metal strike (using metals of lower value to test out the dies), to proof standard or piedforts. Many coin col ...

, a coin struck to test a new design, alloy, or method of manufacture *

Pattern (sewing) In sewing and fashion design, a pattern is the template from which the parts of a garment are traced onto woven or knitted fabrics before being cut out and assembled. Patterns are usually made of paper, and are sometimes made of sturdier mate ...

, the original garment, or a paper template, from which other garments are copied and produced

Fiction

* ''Patterns'' (''Kraft Television Theatre''), a 1955 live television drama written by Rod Serling * ''Patterns'' (film), a 1956 film based on the TV show * ''Patterns'', a 1989 novel by

Pat Cadigan Patricia Oren Kearney Cadigan (born September 10, 1953) is a British-American science fiction author, whose work is most often identified with the cyberpunk movement. Her novels and short stories often explore the relationship between the hum ...

Music

* ''Patterns'', a 1975 album by

Kiki Dee Pauline Matthews (born 6 March 1947), better known by her stage name Kiki Dee, is an English singer. Known for her blue-eyed soul vocals, she was the first female singer from the UK to sign with Motown's Tamla Records. Dee is best known for h ...

* ''Patterns'' (album), by Bobby Hutcherson, released in 1980 * Patterns (EP), an EP by Repeater *''Patterns'', an alternative title of the Modern Jazz Quartet's album ''

Music from Odds Against Tomorrow ''Music from Odds Against Tomorrow'' (also released as ''Patterns'') is an album by American jazz group the Modern Jazz Quartet featuring interpretations of the soundtrack score for the 1959 motion picture ''Odds Against Tomorrow''. It was release ...

'' * "Patterns" (Paul Simon song) * "Patterns", a polka song by "Weird Al" Yankovic * Patterns (Small Faces song), 1967

Other uses

* Pattern (devotional), in Irish Catholicism, the devotional practices associated with a patron saint * Patterns II, a pencil and paper game designed by Sid Sackson * Patterns (video game), a building game for personal computers * Juggling pattern, a trick performed while juggling