When is it published? Ian
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Ian Robinson - Belfast - UK
Soapbox - <http://www.canicula.com/wp>
On 3 Jun 2008, at 00:05, Erik Buck <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
In answering some private email about the forthcoming "Cocoa Design
Patterns" book, I made the following observations.
Design patterns describe high quality practical solutions to
recurring programming problems and can sometimes be quite abstract.
Design patterns state how to solve problems and why some solutions
are preferred over others. There are programming examples of
patterns, but it is assumed that the patterns will be adapted as
necessary on a case by case basis. In other words, Design Patterns
are not tutorials.
The right time to introduce design patterns depends on the learning
style of the individual programmer. Some programmers are
uncomfortable until they can see the "big picture". Design patterns
help show the big picture and provide rationale. Other programmers
are frustrated by theory and abstract ideas until they have mastered
the details of a specific implementation. For specific details,
tutorials and focused sample programs are more satisfying than
design patterns.
To use an analogy, design patterns for construction/architecture
describe the rationale for having more than one external door – e.g.
for emergency egress. Design patterns for construction/architectu
re identify and contrast the different styles of architecture such a
s Queen Ann Victorian or Prairie Style or Neo-Classical. A design p
atterns book for construction/architecture might provide a few sampl
e floor plans to illustrate the application of a pattern, but you wo
n't find a complete design for your specific house in the book. Nor
will you find instructions for how to nail two boards together.
Why Focus on Design Patterns?
I wrote “Cocoa Design Patterns” to help satisfy your
intellectual curiosity. It’s easy to lose sight of the overall arch
itecture and rationale of Cocoa. Many programmers comment that they
feel lost in the multitude of classes, functions, and data structure
s that Cocoa provides. They can’t see the forest because they‘re
concentrating too much on individual trees. The patterns used in Coc
oa provide a structure and organization that will help you find your
way. The patterns show how to reuse groups of cooperating classes e
ven when the relationships between the classes are not fully explain
ed in the documentation for individual classes.
So, will programmers new to Cocoa benefit from a Cocoa Design
Patterns Book ? I think all programmers will benefit from
understanding design patterns at some point whether they use Cocoa
or not. How soon a new programmer should tackle design patterns
depends a lot on the programmer.
Any programmer who is familiar with the famous Design Patterns book
by the Gang of Four and enjoyed that book will enjoy "Cocoa Design
Patterns".
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