System Patterns
Overview
This document provides detailed information about the key architectural and design patterns used in the BIG BRAIN Memory Bank 2.0 system. It serves as a reference for understanding the standard patterns, their applications, and how they ensure system integrity and consistency. This document complements the Architecture Overview and Components documentation by focusing specifically on repeatable patterns.
Memory Patterns
Memory File Structure Pattern
Purpose: Standardizes the organization and content of memory files for consistency and discoverability.
Pattern:
# [File Title]
## [Section 1]
[Content following consistent format]
## [Section 2]
[Content following consistent format]
...
## Version Information
- Last Updated: [Date]
- Compatible with [Version]
- Changelog: [Changes]
Applications:
- All core memory files
- Documentation files
- Reference materials
Benefits:
- Consistent organization for easier navigation
- Standardized structure for automated processing
- Clear versioning for change tracking
- Supports verification and validation
Progressive Disclosure Pattern
Purpose: Organizes information from most important to least important to optimize information retrieval.
Pattern:
- Start with concise summary (TL;DR)
- Provide essential context and purpose
- Present core information in priority order
- Follow with supporting details
- End with reference information and metadata
Applications:
- Memory file organization
- Command responses
- Documentation structure
- Error messages and reports
Benefits:
- Focuses attention on most critical information
- Enables quick comprehension of essentials
- Allows drilling down for additional detail
- Adapts information delivery to task needs
Cross-Reference Pattern
Purpose: Maintains relationships between related information across different files.
Pattern:
See [Document Name](../path/to/document.md) for [specific information]
Applications:
- Linking related documentation
- Connecting memory files
- Establishing dependencies
- Providing navigation paths
Benefits:
- Prevents information duplication
- Makes relationships explicit
- Supports navigation between related content
- Enables verification of reference integrity
Command Patterns
Command Syntax Pattern
Purpose: Provides consistent structure for all system commands.
Pattern:
COMMAND_NAME [PARAMETER1] [PARAMETER2] [--option1=value] [--option2]
Applications:
- All system commands
- Command documentation
- Command processing
- Command generation
Benefits:
- Consistent user interface
- Predictable behavior
- Easier command learning
- Simplified command processing
Command Response Pattern
Purpose: Standardizes command execution responses.
Pattern:
[Status Indicator] [Command Echo]
[Primary Result]
[Additional Information]
[Next Steps or Recommendations]
Applications:
- All command outputs
- Verification responses
- Status reports
- Error messages
Benefits:
- Clear indication of command success/failure
- Consistent presentation of results
- Actionable next steps
- Standardized format for parsing
Operation Verification Pattern
Purpose: Validates operations before and after execution.
Pattern:
- Pre-operation validation
- Execution with monitoring
- Post-operation verification
- Result reporting with confirmation
- Error handling if needed
Applications:
- Critical system operations
- Memory bank updates
- State transitions
- Configuration changes
Benefits:
- Prevents invalid operations
- Confirms successful execution
- Provides verification evidence
- Supports recovery from failures
Workflow Patterns
Task Classification Pattern
Purpose: Categorizes tasks to determine appropriate handling.
Pattern:
- Evaluate task type (design, implementation, verification)
- Assess complexity (1-4 scale)
- Identify special requirements or constraints
- Determine appropriate workflow and resources
- Set verification requirements
Applications:
- Task initialization
- Resource allocation
- Workflow selection
- Verification planning
Benefits:
- Appropriate resource allocation
- Consistent task handling
- Proper verification rigor
- Optimized process selection
Phased Execution Pattern
Purpose: Breaks complex tasks into standardized phases.
Pattern:
- Initialization Phase
- Planning Phase
- Execution Phase
- Verification Phase
- Documentation Phase
- Transition Phase
Applications:
- All workflow types
- Complex operations
- Multi-step processes
- Session management
Benefits:
- Consistent process execution
- Clear checkpoints between phases
- Standardized documentation
- Simplified tracking and reporting
Checkpoint Pattern
Purpose: Defines clear criteria for completion verification.
Pattern:
## Checkpoint: [Name]
**Verification Criteria:**
- [Criterion 1]
- [Criterion 2]
...
**Validation Steps:**
1. [Step 1]
2. [Step 2]
...
**Evidence Required:**
- [Evidence 1]
- [Evidence 2]
...
Applications:
- Section completion verification
- Quality validation
- Progress tracking
- Release criteria
Benefits:
- Clear completion criteria
- Standardized verification approach
- Objective assessment
- Documented evidence
Verification Patterns
Multi-Level Verification Pattern
Purpose: Provides graduated verification depth based on complexity and importance.
Pattern:
- Level 1: Basic existence and format check
- Level 2: Structure and cross-reference validation
- Level 3: Content integrity and consistency verification
- Level 4: Comprehensive analysis and deep validation
Applications:
- Memory file verification
- Rule compliance checking
- Documentation validation
- System integrity verification
Benefits:
- Appropriate verification depth
- Resource optimization
- Risk-based verification approach
- Adaptable to different needs
Error Recovery Pattern
Purpose: Provides structured approach to handling verification failures.
Pattern:
- Detect and classify error
- Determine recovery options
- Select appropriate strategy:
- Automatic correction for simple issues
- Guided intervention for complex issues
- Fallback options for critical failures
- Implement recovery actions
- Verify successful resolution
- Document incident and solution
Applications:
- Memory file issues
- Rule conflicts
- Command failures
- Inconsistency detection
Benefits:
- Consistent error handling
- Clear resolution paths
- Documented recovery procedures
- Problem-appropriate strategies
Validation Reporting Pattern
Purpose: Standardizes the reporting of verification results.
Pattern:
## Validation Report: [Subject]
**Status:** [PASSED/WARNING/FAILED]
**Issues Found:**
- [Issue 1]: [Description]
- [Issue 2]: [Description]
...
**Recommendations:**
- [Recommendation 1]
- [Recommendation 2]
...
Applications:
- System health checks
- Memory bank verification
- Rule system diagnostics
- Quality assessments
Benefits:
- Clear status indication
- Structured issue reporting
- Actionable recommendations
- Consistent format for processing
Integration Patterns
Component Interface Pattern
Purpose: Defines standardized interfaces between system components.
Pattern:
## Interface: [Name]
**Provided Operations:**
- [Operation 1]: [Description]
- [Operation 2]: [Description]
...
**Required Operations:**
- [Operation 1]: [Description]
- [Operation 2]: [Description]
...
**Data Exchange Format:**
[Format specification]
Applications:
- Component integration
- System extension
- Third-party integration
- Component replacement
Benefits:
- Clear component boundaries
- Standardized integration points
- Simplified component replacement
- Reduced coupling
State Transition Pattern
Purpose: Manages system state changes in a controlled manner.
Pattern:
- State capture (before transition)
- Transition preparation
- Execution of state change
- State verification (after transition)
- Transition completion confirmation
- Rollback procedures (if needed)
Applications:
- Session transitions
- Mode changes
- Workflow phase transitions
- System initialization/termination
Benefits:
- Controlled state changes
- Verification at transition points
- Rollback capability
- Clear transition boundaries
Protocol Adaptation Pattern
Purpose: Adjusts protocol rigor based on task complexity and importance.
Pattern:
- Determine task complexity (1-4)
- Identify critical requirements
- Select appropriate protocol variant
- Apply protocol with adapted:
- Verification depth
- Documentation detail
- Process rigor
- Resource allocation
Applications:
- Protocol enforcement
- Verification procedures
- Documentation requirements
- Workflow execution
Benefits:
- Appropriate protocol rigor
- Resource optimization
- Risk-based approach
- Consistent yet flexible protocols
Related Information
- Architecture Overview - High-level system architecture
- Architecture Components - Detailed component information
- Commands Guide - Command reference and usage
Version Information
- Last Updated: March 24, 2025
- Compatible with BIG BRAIN Memory Bank 2.0
- Changelog: Initial documentation for version 2.0