The term architect, as applied to computer science, was coined by Fred Brooks. He was referring to hardware architecture, but it quickly caught on to mean the design of any reasonably complex system in the field.

DAS

At 08:52 PM 7/31/2003 -0700, you wrote:

When computer people talk about design patterns of software engineering, they are using a term coined by this Christopher Alexander. The term architect, as applied to our field, was similarly coined by him. He appeared at OOPSLA as a guest speaker. In short, the man has exciting ideas.

At 11:31 AM 7/31/03, you wrote:

...

Christopher Alexander, author of 'A Pattern Language', wants to write a simulation to demonstrate the ideas in his new series of books 'The Nature of Order' (the first volume is out, and truly outstanding). I have persuaded him that Squeak is the right language to do it in and he's hooked. Chris has not programmed for some years (though he is a mathematician, originally) and needs some tutorial help on the basics of the language.

He'd like to find a fluent Squeaker who'd give him a few hours of voluntary time. Chris is currently living on the South coast of the UK (West Sussex). The ideal would be a grad student in Southampton or Portsmouth Universities. (Anyone know of any Squeakers there I could contact directly?) If this doesn't work, someone on the end of a phone would be acceptable.

This is an opportunity to meet and interact with one of the world's greatest contemporary thinkers. I'm sure we can help him out. (I've offered my help on the OO design side, but I'm not a sufficiently fluent programmer to give him the basics he needs at the beginning.) Just to make it clear, he wants to write the simulation himself, this is not an attempt to get someone to write it for him.

If you can help, or know any contacts who might, please get back to me directly and I'll put you in touch with him.

Richard Pawson