*/
    public static String getShortPattern(final Locale locale) {
        assertArgumentNotNull("locale", locale);
        return ((SimpleDateFormat) getDateInstance(SHORT, locale)).toPattern();
    }

    /**
     * Returns the pattern string for {@link DateFormat#MEDIUM} style in the default locale.
     *
     * @return the pattern string for {@link DateFormat#MEDIUM} style
     */

     */
    public static String getShortPattern(final Locale locale) {
        assertArgumentNotNull("locale", locale);
        return ((SimpleDateFormat) getTimeInstance(SHORT, locale)).toPattern();
    }

    /**
     * Returns the pattern string for {@link DateFormat#MEDIUM} style in the default locale.
     *
     * @return the pattern string for {@link DateFormat#MEDIUM} style
     */

     */
    public static String getShortPattern(final Locale locale) {
        assertArgumentNotNull("locale", locale);
        return ((SimpleDateFormat) getDateTimeInstance(SHORT, SHORT, locale)).toPattern();
    }

    /**
     * Returns the pattern string for {@link DateFormat#MEDIUM} style using the default locale.
     *
     * @return the pattern string for {@link DateFormat#MEDIUM} style
     */