# Methods common to all pattern objects

Patterns are the basic vector workhorse variable of the lazyNut system, being used for actual and hypothetical layer states, inputs and outputs, and intermediate computations.

## description

    some_pattern description

The description has the additional element `Summary` that contains a human-readable(ish) summary of the current value of the pattern.

## set

    some_pattern set rep values...

Set the representation of `some_pattern` to `rep`, its subtype to the default for `rep` and its value according to the zero or more `values` given, according to the rules for `rep`.

## set_equal

    some_pattern set_equal source_pattern

Set the representation, subtype and value of `some_pattern` to be the same as `source_pattern`.

## get_summary

    some_pattern get_summary

Emit the same summary as in the description.

## clear

    some_pattern clear

Clear the value of `some_pattern` to the conceptually zero value for its current subtype.