Name for WS pattern where a generic object is returned?

Question

Two part question:

1. I am working on a project where the webservices all return a generic object. On success, that object then contains the data returned from the webservice along with additional information such as status messages or qualifiers. On failure, the object contains no data and error messages. What is the name for this pattern?
2. When I think that something I am working on is a common pattern and has a name, what strategies can I use to learn what that name is? I frequently see things that look familiar or common and suspect they have a name and are a common pattern. How can I find those on my own without asking StackExchange?

Answer 1

1. [...] What is the name for this pattern?

None. Returning value that have meaning for the rest of the code is what every function returning value does, in any language.

2, First, read the Design Patterns book to get the names commonly used. Most of the time any recurring solution you've seen will be an implementation of one or a combination of several of those patterns. After that, if you can't find what name should be used for a pattern, find an analogy to name it yourself. Use it until you discover the name commonly used, if it exists.