The Sponsor-Selector Pattern

                                Eugene Wallingford
                                wallingf@cs.uni.edu

                          Department of Computer Science
                           University of Northern Iowa
                          Cedar Falls, Iowa  50614-0507

                            (319) 277-8765  [  home  ]
                            (319) 273-2618  [ office ]

Abstract:  This pattern is intended as the first pattern in a pattern language
           for designing knowledge-based systems.  It addresses the issue of
           dynamic control of problem solving -- how a system can dynamically
           select what to do next in the course of solving a problem.  The
           Sponsor-Selector pattern provides a mechanism for selection that
           enables a system (1) to dynamically select from existing resources
           and (2) to fully integrate new resources on the fly at run-time.
           It is based on the idea of separating three responsibilities:
           recommending a resource, selecting among resources, and using a
           resource.