Better Software - April 2008 - (Page 10)

Book review Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software by Gamma, Helm, Johnson, Vlissides Reviewed by Dimitri Ilkaev dilkaev@tier.com sPotLiGHt Book d design Patterns Elements of reusable object-oriented software By: Gamma, Helm, Johnson, Vlissides Pages: 395 Publisher: Addison Wesley description: Capturing a wealth of experience about the design of object-oriented software, four topnotch designers present a catalog of simple and succinct solutions to commonly occurring design problems. Previously undocumented, these twenty-three patterns allow designers to create more flexible, elegant, and ultimately reusable designs without having to rediscover the design solutions themselves. The authors begin by describing what patterns are and how they can help you design object-oriented software. The authors then go on to systematically name, explain, evaluate, and catalog recurring designs in object-oriented systems. With Design Patterns as your guide, you will learn how these important patterns fit into the software development process, and how you can leverage them to solve your own design problems most efficiently. Each pattern describes the circumstances in which it is applicable, when it can be applied in view of other design constraints, and the consequences and trade-offs of using the pattern within a larger design. All patterns are compiled from real systems and are based on real-world examples. Each pattern also includes code that demonstrates how it may be implemented in object-oriented programming languages like C++ or Smalltalk. Published: 1995 isBn: 0201633612 Design Patterns is a classic that describes simple and effective solutions to common problems in object-oriented software design. The book, written in a catalog format, provides examples of how design patterns can improve the software design, together with reusability and flexibility of code. The authors describe the intent of the pattern, motivation, applicability, structure, participants, collaborations, consequences, and implementation considerations. They provide detailed sample code, known users of that pattern, and a list of related patterns. Authors Erich Gamma, Richard Helm, Ralph Johnson, and John Vlissides—frequently referred to as “The Gang of Four”—separate these patterns into creational, structural, and behavioral categories. The first two chapters of this book introduce the pattern-based design world, while the rest present a catalog of design patterns. Design Patterns is most helpful for the skilled software developer or architect, especially on relatively large projects. Multiple diagrams—most UML based—make the design concept for a specific, easy-to-understand pattern, and every pattern description is accompanied by code samples in C++ or Smalltalk. The authors use a common vocabulary, which if implemented, encourages effective communication with peers in the design and development field. This book creates a pattern-based mindset, which, once adopted, stays with a developer forever. The authors set the groundwork for pattern-based design, making this book a “must have” book on a developer’s desk. I recommend this book to experienced developers or architects who need to look up specific cases and patterns related to their design challenges, yet the less-experienced developer should also find this book helpful because it sets a pattern-based direction and can be used as a guidebook. read this book? Visit www.StickyMinds.com/bythebook10-3 to post your comments, or email editors@bettersoftware.com for information on how you can have a book review considered for 10 BETTER SOFTWARE APRIL 2008 www.StickyMinds.com publication on stickyMinds.com. http://www.StickyMinds.com http://www.StickyMinds.com/bythebook10-3 http://www.StickyMinds.com http://www.StickyMinds.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Better Software - April 2008

Better Software - April 2008 Contents Mark Your Calendar Contributions eLightenment Technology Speaking - A Change Would Do You Good Code Craft - A "D" In Programming, Part 1 Test Connection - Learning the Hardware Lessons Management Chronicles - The Art of Persuading Management Cover Story - Incremental and Iterative Development Developers...Start Your Engines Where Do I Go From Here Product Announcements 10 Things You Might Not Know About... The Last Word - Software Quality and the Prisoner's Dilemma Ad Index

Better Software - April 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.