The Locator Pattern: How Business Apps Resolve User Input Into System Identity

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A technical analysis argues that business applications face a deeper challenge than simple value selection when users enter references like product codes into forms. When a user types a product code, the application must not only find the product but also resolve related context such as pricing, VAT rates, units of measure, and stock availability. The core distinction drawn is between a search, which merely returns results, and reference resolution, which identifies the specific business entity a user intends within a given context. Users naturally think in business terms like product codes or account numbers, while systems rely on unique technical identifiers such as GUIDs, making translation between the two a critical function. The article outlines a five-step conceptual process — business reference, business context, resolution, canonical identity, and projection — that operates independently of any user interface component.

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