Also known as: A-Z

(Introduction) Setting the context and linking to higher level patterns.

Problem

What is the problem that this pattern solves?

Motivation

Description of empirical background of the pattern.

Solution

The solution... (in imperative form)

Diagram

A drawing

Use when

The context in summarized form.

Implementation

An ideal index is long, hierarchically indented and contains see also references.

Creating a classical subject index as you can find in scientific books is a laborious manual job, that takes subject knowledge and knowledge of user (search) behaviour. This is typically done by an information specialist.

Although there exist automated systems to create indexes, they have shortcomings. Computers can index pages and so create database indexes, but these rely on the exact words that are on the page, and these are not necessarily what the page is about. Advanced retrieval systems can make comparisons on the basis of word co-occurences between different documents and distill 'meaning', but they still have difficulty in putting this in context and in hierarchies.

Discussion

Examples

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Connections

Relations to lower patterns.

Literature

• Sitemaps and Site Indexes: What They Are and Why You Should Have Them - Boxes and Arrows, September 8, 2003
• Practical design of outlines and site maps

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Authors:
-- ArthurClemens - 25 Nov 2003