Design Patterns - Definition and Overview

Design Patterns (ISBN 0201633612) is a computer science book proposing standard solutions and naming conventions to common problems in software design. The book's authors are Erich Gamma, Richard Helm, Ralph Johnson and John Vlissides, known as the "Gang of Four" or simply "GoF".

The first half of the book covers the definition of software design patterns then the second half shows the list of a host of practical reusable design patterns. It is accompanied by examples in C++ and Smalltalk. Below is the list:

Creational patterns

• Abstract factory pattern
• Builder
• Factory method pattern
• Prototype
• Singleton

Structural Patterns

• Adapter
• Bridge
• Composite
• Decorator
• Facade
• Flyweight
• Proxy

Behavioral patterns

• Chain of responsibility
• Command
• Interpreter
• Iterator
• Mediator
• Memento
• Observer
• State
• Strategy
• Template method
• Visitor

For information about software design patterns in general, see design patterns in computer science, which provides a more extensive list of design patterns.