Architecture Patterns, Quality Attributes, and Design Contexts: How Developers Design with Them

The use of architecture and design patterns have impacts on the quality attributes of a system, and the application of patterns depend on design contexts. There are complex interdependent relationships between them. In this study, we explore how developers use architecture and design patterns with respect to quality attributes concerns and design contexts. We extracted pattern related posts from Stack Overflow and analyzed the architecture discussions. Our study reveals what contexts and quality attributes developers consider when using architecture patterns, and we have identified new and previously unknown relationships between these design elements. These findings can enhance developers' knowledge when they design with architecture patterns, quality attributes, and design contexts.