Design Patterns for Dummies

Design Patterns are by nature an advanced topic. This book is perfect to start out with. The GoF and a few extra patterns are thoroughly explained with text and graphics and an example is written in Java code for each.

The original book by the Go4 is a great book, but like one reviewer stated, "requires a bit of sophistication". And also it was in C++. However, as time rolled on, more pattern books have come out in the more mainstream languages of today to fill the gap. This book uses Java which is an excellent choice because C# programmers and even VB.NET programmers can understand with relative ease the premise of these patterns from Java. This book is very easy to understand and probably should be the starting point for those just learning patterns. (Or "Head First Design Patterns", which is also excellent and very entertaining). The writing style of the author is very encouraging and I think beginners to patterns will find it a great starting point. You have to start somewhere and this book fills the gap for beginners in learning the terminology, methodology and practical use of patterns.

This is a terrific book on design patterns. Each pattern is well explained with numerous examples, including examples where the patterns are already implemented in the Java language. The style is easy-going, making each pattern easier to understand and more palatable. The formal design pattern books may give you trouble, but this one won't--and all the information in the formal books is packed into this one as well.

Yes, patterns are important. But if you try and get your first exposure to them via the classic GoF book, you'll likely be more confused than enlightened. Steve Holzner has a practical, understandable treatment of patterns in the book Design Patterns For Dummies. Contents: Part 1 - Getting to Know Patterns: Congratulations, Your Problem Has Already Been Solved; Putting Plans into Action with the Strategy Pattern; Creating and Extending Objects with the Decorator and Factory Patterns; Watch What's Going On with the Observer and Chain of Responsibility Patterns; From One to Many - The Singleton and Flyweight Patterns Part 2 - Becoming an OOP Master: Fitting Round Pegs into Square Holes with the Adapter and Facade Patterns; Mass Producing Objects with the Template Method and Builder Patterns; Handling Collections with the Iterator and Composite Patterns; Getting Control of Your Objects with the State and Proxy Patterns; Coordinating Your Objects with the Command and Mediator Patterns Part 3 - The Part of Tens: Ten More Design Patterns; Ten Easy Steps to Create Your Own Patterns Index The problem I've always had with patterns is that they seem to always be discussed in general terms. I have a hard time visualizing exactly what they mean unless I can see real code. Holzner uses a humorous "pattern consultant" storyline throughout each chapter, and relates a "business requirement" to actual Java code. He starts with a typical solution that doesn't implement the pattern, and shows how that approach can lead to problems down the road. He then refactors the solution to implement the patterns being discussed, and suddenly it's easy to understand exactly how that pattern looks in code. In fact, you may find yourself recognizing techniques you already use, but didn't know they were pattern solutions. I ended up thinking "oh, so *that's* what that pattern does" a number of times throughout this book. There's only been one other pattern book that I got that from, and it's a shame that something so valuable ends up being so obscured in theory and generalities. While it's advisable to get the GoF book if you are really going to dive into patterns, it's also advisable to get a book that gets into practical, concrete examples. Between the two, you'll know everything you'll need to know about patterns. Design Patterns For Dummies definitely fits the bill for the practical volume you'll need...