Object-oriented programming has become the default approach to solving modern-day computing problems. Earlier languages supported object orientation, but also left the door open for developers to use procedural programming. With the current widespread popularity of pure object-oriented languages, like Java and C#, however, developers can no longer think along the lines of procedural programming.

With this popularity comes a challenge to put the new programming concepts to good use. This is where patterns come in. I have read many different books on patterns, and most of them are very abstract. The abstract approach does not provide developers with information about how to use patterns in real-world scenarios. I really liked this book’s approach of presenting design patterns with real-world examples.

Gross starts with the essentials of object-oriented programming, and with test-driven development and logging. The second chapter does not cover any design patterns; instead, it represents the author’s attempt to introduce good programming practices. I would have liked to see this chapter as an appendix. It disrupts the flow, forcing the reader to switch contexts.

Subsequent chapters explain the design patterns by putting them into practical contexts. The text continues with the essential factory and bridge patterns. The next chapters introduce the reader to the patterns that help in the building of application architectures and build components. The author also introduces readers to the patterns that help with building better algorithms and writing efficient code. In today’s world, writing efficient code is far more important than just writing code; these patterns are very handy for addressing today’s challenges. The author then touches on the patterns that are essential in refactoring and maintaining persistence for applications.

I would recommend this book to those who want to learn about patterns. Being associated with the Java community much more than the .NET world, I would have definitely enjoyed reading this book with Java examples. However, the approach the author has taken makes it easy for non-Windows developers to understand the patterns.