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Head First Design Patterns (Head First)

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You're not alone. At any given moment, somewhere in the world someone struggles with the same software design problems you have. You know you don't want to reinvent the wheel (or worse, a flat tire), so you look to Design Patterns--the lessons learned by those who've faced the same problems. With Design Patterns, you get to take advantage of the best practices and experience of others, so that you can spend your time on...something else. Something more challenging. Something more complex. Something more fun. You want to learn about the patterns that matter--why to use them, when to use them, how to use them (and when NOT to use them). But you don't just want to see how patterns look in a book, you want to know how they look "in the wild". In their native environment. In other words, in real world applications. You also want to learn how patterns are used in the Java API, and how to exploit Java's built-in pattern support in your own code. You want to learn the real OO design principles and why everything your boss told you about inheritance might be wrong (and what to do instead). You want to learn how those principles will help the next time you're up a creek without a design pattern. Most importantly, you want to learn the "secret language" of Design Patterns so that you can hold your own with your co-worker (and impress cocktail party guests) when he casually mentions his stunningly clever use of Command, Facade, Proxy, and Factory in between sips of a martini. You'll easily counter with your deep understanding of why Singleton isn't as simple as it sounds, how the Factory is so often misunderstood, or on the real relationship between Decorator, Facade and Adapter. With Head First Design Patterns, you'll avoid the embarrassment of thinking Decorator is something from the "Trading Spaces" show. Best of all, in a way that won't put you to sleep! We think your time is too important (and too short) to spend it struggling with academic texts. If you've read a Head First book, you know what to expect--a visually rich format designed for the way your brain works. Using the latest research in neurobiology, cognitive science, and learning theory, Head First Design Patterns will load patterns into your brain in a way that sticks. In a way that lets you put them to work immediately. In a way that makes you better at solving software design problems, and better at speaking the language of patterns with others on your team.

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ISBN: 9780596007126
Manufacturer:N/A
Product Rating: 93/100 (from 244 reviews)
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244 Reviews

Love it (91%) | Hate it (5%) | On the Fence (4%) | Didn't Rate it (0%)

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From: Amazon Posted: Aug 19, 2008 Type: User Review

First glance may resembles a comic book, but ...

At first glance this book resembles a comic book, and this may persuade you to put away the book. I recommend that you go through the first chapter and make your decision.

In reality as SW Engineers while designing a system we...
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4.00/5

From: Amazon Posted: Aug 01, 2008 Type: User Review

Accessible and immediately useful

[Reviewed by XPSD member Ryan Shiffer]

My previous experience in studying design patterns has been met with failure. I have tried getting through the Gang of Four book on design patterns, but reading it for me was about the same as...
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5.00/5

From: Amazon Posted: Jul 28, 2008 Type: User Review

Wow, never seen it put this way

If you couldn't get your head around the original patterns book before, then this book will change that notion very quickly. It delivers on it's promise and you remember what you read - now that's a bonus in the very fast paced world of software...
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5.00/5

From: Amazon Posted: Jul 22, 2008 Type: User Review

Very good book

I'm relatively new to Design Patters. Prior to reading this book I had read several other material on the web trying to get my head around design patterns and although that material was helpful, it didn't fully clarify to me the intent and usages...
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5.00/5

From: Amazon Posted: Jul 17, 2008 Type: User Review

Very good book on patterns but examples leave questions

This is an excellent introductory book on patterns. They start out with the assumption that the reader does not really know what design patterns are or what they are good for. Developers who have been around awhile know about patterns, but overall...
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4.00/5

From: Amazon Posted: Jul 12, 2008 Type: User Review

Great book

This is a great book, very explicit, great examples, clear language and I couldn't stop reading. Very good.
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4.00/5

From: Amazon Posted: May 26, 2008 Type: User Review

Head First is good for your brain.

I love this book. It is my first Head First book and I intend to buy more. It is really a fun way to learn. Though the book deals with some advanced topics, the way the material is presented makes it easier to get into your brain.
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5.00/5

From: Amazon Posted: May 10, 2008 Type: User Review

Finally!

Finally, a book that explains the basic design patterns, in Java, in a way that makes sense.
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5.00/5

From: Amazon Posted: Apr 17, 2008 Type: User Review

Amazing and fun book

The promise they make on the preface of the book is true. The knowledge really sticks to your brain, part due to the examples and part due to the language the authors use along the text. Just one thing to record, the authors were too humble...
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5.00/5

From: Amazon Posted: Apr 05, 2008 Type: User Review

The best way to learn the main design patterns

The "Head First" book series is the best product that O'Reilly makes and Head First Design Patterns is a perfect example of the quality and innovation inherent in this great series.

If you only need to learn the main design patterns...
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5.00/5

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