Design Patterns Explained: A New Perspective on Object-Oriented Design

Relationships Within a Pattern

I must admit, in my courses, I have some fun with a certain quote from Alexander. After I have been talking about how great patterns are for two-thirds of a day, I pick up Alexander's Timeless Way of Building, turn to the end, and say

This book is 549 pages long. On page 545, which, I think you will agree, is pretty close to the end, Alexander says, “At this final stage, the patterns are no longer important:…”^[1]

^[1] Alexander, C., Ishikawa, S., Silverstein, M., The Timeless Way of Building, New York: Oxford University Press, 1979, p. 545.

I pause to say, “I wish he'd have told me this at the beginning and I could have saved myself some time!” Then I continue to quote from him: “The patterns have taught you to ...