Design Patterns and Reusability

Design patterns have come a long way since their popularity as potential solutions to well-known problems was brought to the forefront by the Gang of Four (GoF). A recognition by the community that experience can be captured in abstract form by using modeling techniques, allowed for the characterization of design pattern designs, which, when instantiated in source code, provide many benefits to practitioners. The design pattern field of study is now a mature field with contributions from fundamental theory to applied techniques. We now have many empirical studies and tools to help researchers and practitioners continue to enhance the existing body of knowledge. This chapter provides an abridged insight into design patterns and the topics associated with them. Specifically, we describe existing research associated with pattern specification, validation, and evolution, and we also examine the relationship between patterns and anti-patterns. Although it is impossible to address every topic in detail, we provide references to the work of influential contributors in this space.