Tidwell's Patterns

Examples

  • Button groups (ch. 6)
  • Hover tools (ch. 6)
  • Preview (ch. 6)
  • Input prompt (ch. 8)
  • Autocompletion (ch. 8)

Detailed Example: Progress Indicator

  • What: display amount of time left for a time-consuming operation
  • Use When: An operation that takes more than two seconds
  • Why: Lets users know how much time is left; indicates that the system is working
  • How: Bar shows proportion of time left; may provide specific time; allow for cancellation

Discussion question

  • When do you use patterns?
  • Produce the pattern questions for the List Builder pattern.