Design Patterns and over 1.5 million other books are available for Amazon Kindle . Learn more


or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
Trade in Yours
For a £10.16 Gift Card
Trade in
More Buying Choices
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
Sorry, this item is not available in
Image not available for
Colour:
Image not available

 
Start reading Design Patterns on your Kindle in under a minute.

Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.

Design patterns : elements of reusable object-oriented software [Hardcover]

Erich Gamma , Richard Helm , Ralph Johnson , John Vlissides
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
RRP: £38.99
Price: £27.29 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
You Save: £11.70 (30%)
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
Only 9 left in stock (more on the way).
Dispatched from and sold by Amazon. Gift-wrap available.
Want it Thursday, 20 June? Choose Express delivery at checkout. Details

Formats

Amazon Price New from Used from
Kindle Edition £20.47  
Hardcover £27.29  
Paperback --  
Multimedia CD, Audiobook £28.15  
Trade In this Item for up to £10.16
Trade in Design patterns : elements of reusable object-oriented software for an Amazon.co.uk gift card of up to £10.16, which you can then spend on millions of items across the site. Trade-in values may vary (terms apply). Special Offer until June 30, 2013: Receive an additional £5 promotional Gift Card, when you trade-in at least £10 worth of books. Learn more

Book Description

31 Oct 1994 0201633612 978-0201633610 1

  • Capturing a wealth of experience about the design of object-oriented software, four top-notch designers present a catalog of simple and succinct solutions to commonly occurring design problems. Previously undocumented, these 23 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. They 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.


Frequently Bought Together

Design patterns : elements of reusable object-oriented software + Head First Design Patterns + Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship (Robert C. Martin)
Price For All Three: £76.63

Buy the selected items together


Product details


More About the Authors

Discover books, learn about writers, and more.

Product Description

Amazon Review

Design Patterns is based on the idea that there are only so many design problems in computer programming. This book identifies some common program-design problems--such as adapting the interface of one object to that of another object or notifying an object of a change in another object's state--and explains the best ways (not always the obvious ways) that the authors know to solve them. The idea is that you can use the authors' sophisticated design ideas to solve problems that you often waste time solving over and over again in your own programming.

The authors have come up with some ingenious ways to solve some common vexations among object-oriented programmers. Want to build a page-layout program that embeds inline images among characters of various sizes? How about building a program that converts files of one format to another? Chances are, some programmer already has thought of a better solution than you will and the recipes you need are here. Solutions are presented in generalised diagrams of data and logic structures. The idea is that you can take the concepts presented here and adapt them--in whatever language you use--to your individual situation. You may have to read some of the chapters several times before you fully understand them, but when you find a solution in this book, it will make your job easier and your results more elegant. --Jake Bond

From the Back Cover

Capturing a wealth of experience about the design of object-oriented software, four top-notch designers present a catalog of simple and succinct solutions to commonly occurring design problems. Previously undocumented, these 23 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. They 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.



0201633612B07092001


Inside This Book (Learn More)
Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Search inside this book:

What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?


Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars In need of a re-write 9 Oct 2010
By KJ
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I've worked in the IT industry exclusively since 2006 when I graduated from university. This book was required reading for the Design Patterns module I elected to do. Back to 2010 and I've found myself doing more OO and re-factoring of some complex code bases. I picked up my copy and realised just how out-dated the examples are, especially for developers using Java / C#. The examples might be more relevant to C++ developers but I find the book really heavy going and quite hard to digest.

Design patterns are not difficult and books like Head First Design Patterns are better introductions to Designs Patterns than the GoF book. Unfortunately the Head First series does not cover all the patterns in the GoF and the Head First book is not designed to be a reference book. That said I remember much more of what I read when compared to this text.

Unfortunately there is no alternative that provides essential coverage of some of the most common patterns used day to day.

In short if your new to patterns and have a limited budget go for the Head First Book, while not a reference its a much gentler introduction.
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
93 of 100 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars a must-read that is also a must-rewrite 5 May 2000
Format:CD-ROM
This book is compulsory reading with no real competition.

However it's very badly written. People often mention (without complaining? ) of what a lot of hard work this book is. In fact almost all the patterns are easy to grasp, but rubbish explanations in conjunction with inconsistent use of terminology and weak examples obscures each pattern to the extent that the reader's brain soon falls out of their head.

I can't point to any one example in the book since they are all as bad as each other. But re-reading the visitor pattern finally inspired this diatribe.

I can't understand how these guys have got away with it. It's absurd. There must be an unimaginable number of people who have given up on Design Patterns due to this book, seminal or not. What a shame. The value of patterns is almost incalculable.

If only Odell & Martin or Martin Fowler would condescend to give us something readable!

Was this review helpful to you?
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars This is the one the others talk about 10 Oct 2006
Format:Hardcover
I read a couple of design patterns books before this one and quickly realised that I need to get this book as soon as possible. The others I've read all referenced it and as a design patterns catalog it presents patterns in the purest form. It is extremely easy to read in terms of clarity and layout and certainly in a format that will appeal to programmers. Although most examples are either in C++ or SmallTalk you should have no problem keeping up if you specialise in other languages including scripting languages like PHP5.
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
22 of 24 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
This book really changed my way of thinking about object-oriented design. The idea is that when designing a new class hierarchy, though implementation details may differ, you often find yourself using the same kinds of solutions over and over again. Rather than approaching each design task out of context as an individual, isolated problem, the strategy is to study the task and identify the underlying design pattern most likely to be applicable, and follow the class structure outlined by that pattern. It's a "cookbook" school of design that works amazingly well.

There are other advantages to this book. It isolates 23 of the most common patterns and presents them in detail. You wouldn't think that 23 patterns would be enough, but once you become adept at recognizing patterns, you'll find that a large fraction of the patterns you use in practice are among these 23. For each pattern, the book carefully presents the intent of the pattern, a motivating example, consequences of using that pattern, implementation considerations and pitfalls, sample code (C++ or Smalltalk), known uses of that pattern in real-world applications, and a list of related patterns.

Upon first reading, you will start to recognize these patterns in the frameworks you see. Upon second reading, you'll begin to see how these patterns can help you in your own designs, and may also start to see new patterns not listed in the book. Once you become familiar with the pattern concept, you will be able to originate your own patterns, which will serve you well in the future. One of the most valuable contributions of this book is that it is designed not merely to help you identify patterns, but to give you a sense of which patterns are appropriate in which contexts....

I think this book is particularly valuable to many C++ and Java programmers, because of the dynamic and flexible design philosophy it follows. (Its two fundamental principles of reusable OO design are: "Program to an interface, not an implementation" and "Favor object composition over class inheritance".) I've found that many C++ books unfortunately tend to emphasize a rather static and inflexible design philosophy. Many C++ programmers do not realize how the language and the books they've studied from have been limiting their thinking until they have been exposed to ideas from other lanugages. The authors of this book have obviously been influenced by other languages as well, especially Smalltalk, and have brought many of its best lessons to C++ design. Most Java books seem to take after the C++ books, even though Java is a more dynamic language. This book may help Java programmers take full advantage of the extra power offered by their language, if they look deeply enough into some of the lesser-known features its runtime system affords.

Last, but not least, this book is valuable because it names the patterns it uses, and so gives programmers a common vocabulary to describe design concepts, rather than particular implementations. You'll find yourself saying things like, "That would be a good use for a Decorator", or "Should we use a Facade or a Mediator in this case?" I encourage readers of this book to use this vocabulary with other programmers.

In summary, this is one of the few books that I think belongs on every programmer's "must-have" list. Not to overuse a cliche, but like object-oriented design itself, the pattern concept is one of those rare paradigm-shifts in computer programming. It is equally valuable to expert professional and novice student alike. The book has a home page at [...] Read more ›

Was this review helpful to you?
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars The best book for OO designers and developers 26 May 1999
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
Starting from what design patterns are, this book then presents how patterns can be used to build a document editor. What follows is a list of great patterns for various purposes. This book is a great tool for anyone who is interested in OO design. You read it, and read it, and read it...and then when you finish you read it again! This book lives on my desk now... I was a bit dissapointed that multi-threaded patterns were not discussed at all in this book, but I'll still give it a 5 because I do think it is excellent.
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Great quality references for a decent price 2 Mar 2009
By D. Baas
Format:Hardcover
I recently ordered "Design Patterns: AND Applying UML and Patterns, an Introduction to Object-Oriented Analysis and Design and Iterative Development: Elements of Reusable Object-oriented Software". Although i could not find information as to whether it concerned two separate books or two books in one, i was looking for references on both Design Patterns and UML. It turned out to concern two books and although i haven't finished reading both from front to cover, i am impressed with the quality of the material in both. Design Patters is a book that i use a lot for reference and for a great perspective on how to set up object-oriented software designs. Applying UML and patters provides valuable information on how to apply UML and patterns during real-life software development. It it written in a down-to-earth fashion and is a great help because it explains all stages of iterative sofware development and all points that need attention. It also tells you when not to use UML and how UML was intended.
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?   Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars Wait for the 2nd edition (if there ever is one)
This book was obviously seminal in 1994 when it was published but it is now VERY dated! The chapter on "How design patterns solve design problems" is useful as an answer to... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Ian Rogers
4.0 out of 5 stars very good book
The Design Pattern bible (apparently) written by the famous "Gang of Four".
Descriptions are very good and well explained. Read more
Published 1 month ago by shahin
4.0 out of 5 stars Good book, if a little dry
Great reference book, with all the major design patterns explained. It's a little dry but it is meant as a reference.
Published 2 months ago by DesignPatternsbuyer
1.0 out of 5 stars Sometimes you know yoiu have wasted your money this is it!
Very very badly written, the authors seems to make simple ideas complicated for no good reason.

Design patterns are an excellent concept, and have used them in the past... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Brian Morris
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book from a novice developer's perspective
If you are total newbie with OOP programming this book isn't for you. If you know and understand and even better use/implement, without problems, OOP concepts like polymorphism,... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Sotiris Ganouris
5.0 out of 5 stars Read it, place it in your bookshelf, read it again.
Read the times needed until you understand it enough. I've read it three times in three years, and I still feel that there are several things I don't understand enough. Read more
Published 14 months ago by J. I. Seco Sanz
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Toolbos
I think it's a must have for every software designer/programmer, this book help you to understand the main patterns you are going to face along the way of coding and designing, and... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Mario A. Corchero
5.0 out of 5 stars Highly suggested
I will keep my review short and to the point.
This seminal book is a must have for any object oriented programmer that is not satisfied with code that just works. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Andreas
4.0 out of 5 stars De facto textbook on design patterns
The book is the de facto standard text book on design patterns, it goes through all the GoF (Gang of Four) design patterns, and examples of how to implement them (unfortunately the... Read more
Published on 14 May 2011 by Jones
5.0 out of 5 stars design patterns
Book was in good condition, a little old however it is an old text and was a reasonable price. Some comments written into the book however this didn't really bother me that much,... Read more
Published on 28 April 2011 by Mr. Alexander F. Baker
Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 

Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions
   
Related forums


Listmania!


Look for similar items by category


Feedback


Amazon.co.uk Privacy Statement Amazon.co.uk Delivery Information Amazon.co.uk Returns & Exchanges