When a reboot fails, the state increments and the system tries to reboot again. The subsequent counting states look for multiple concurrent failures caused by interactions between system modules. Once solves this problem. The pattern recalls the extreme caution of first-generation developers of stored program control switching systems. A pattern language defines a collection of patterns and the rules to combine them into an architectural style.
Pattern languages describe software frameworks or families of related systems.
Today, the pattern discipline is supported by several small conferences, by a broad spectrum of activities at established software engineering conferences, and by a rapidly growing body of literature. I suppose I cannot argue with the actual words, because they are not obviously false, but I fear that among the software crowd, especially the CS-oriented ones, this represents a misconception. I'm sure that because he wrote this many feel that the rewording above is a fair copy. I don't think it is. Alexander is capable of writing simple sentences when the thought he wishes to express is simple.