Java™ Design: Objects, UML, and Process

1.3. Patterns

Any discussion of patterns could easily fill multiple texts. This section doesn't even attempt to define a fraction of the patterns that can be useful during development. Instead, we emphasize the common components of a pattern, as well as introduce a few common patterns that have multiple uses. As the discussion continues throughout this book, additional patterns are introduced as the need warrants. The discussion in this section serves two purposes. First, we describe the intent of the patterns, a few problems that they might help resolve, and some consequences of using the pattern. This discussion should help in understanding how patterns can be used and the context in which they might be useful. Second, and most important for ...