Head First Design Patterns (Head First) by Elisabeth Freeman, Eric Freeman, Bert Bates, Kathy Sierra Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Head First Design Patterns (Head First)
Book Review: Such an easy read
Summary: 5 Stars
This is an excellent book. I have read other books on design patterns including Design Patterns Explained by Shalloway Trott and whilst it was a good book it was rather a dry read.
By contrast the Head First book although looking a bit like a Design Patterns for Dummies type book by the cover does indeed cover the same material but in a way which is definetely easy to read and hopefully better to remember.
Where the book excels is in it's examples which clearly show you where you may wish to apply a paticular pattern which is really the key to the whole field. There may be more exhaustive books on the market but this one explains the key patterns and more importantly the principles behind them well.
I'm a C# programmer and the fact it's a Java book doesn't really make a difference. The code samples are almost exactly the same as they would be in C#. On a few occasions it does make reference to paticular Java classes to show examples of patterns in use (e.g. Iterator) but it's easy enough to relate these to their .NET equivalent and even if you can't it doesn't really matter.
All in all the most enjoyable computer book I have ever read and thoroughly recommended if you want to start learning about Design patterns and their use.
Book Review: Excellent book for PHP 5 users too
Summary: 5 Stars
I ordered this book before I read that the examples inside it are written in Java. I do not have any knowledge of Java, the only language I know is PHP.
However this was not a problem as the code in the book is minimal and is very focused on the design pattern being explained at the time. If you have knowledge of object oriented programming then I'm sure this book will be good for you. It is an absolute Gem!
Book Review: if only I could award more stars
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is BRILLIANT - it makes learning design patterns a joy. Know your OO fundimentals first (Inheritance, Polymorphism, and Interfaces) because you'll find yourself using them in ways that make you smile ... confident that from the investment you have made in this book, you will reap the reward for the rest of your life in programming.
I bought this book because I'm studying for a computing degree and the section on design patterns looked daunting ... this book taught me all I needed to know without my brain falling asleep every couple of pages ... in fact, my brain felt stimulated by this book - if ever you need an example of a book that is a shining example of what educational books should be - this is a star ... and a very bright one at that.
I am an ActionScript 2.0 programmer, and whilst the code examples are in Java, I found rewriting them in AS 2.0 was a great way of consolidating what I had learnt. Mind you, if you don't want to do that, the crossword puzzles at the end of each chapter really help consolidate everything as you progress through the book.
Summary ... if Amazon would let me, I would award this with more stars.
Book Review: Don't be put off by the presentation style
Summary: 5 Stars
So many of my colleagues are sniffy about this book when they see its cartoon-like presentation. However, don't be put off. The team of authors are exceptionally clever people who have found great ways of engaging both sides of your brain to make this information make sense and really stick.
Of course, if you're as concerned about your reputation as I am, you can read it on the train and hide it when you're at work. I bet your grasp of patterns will be more practical and applicable than some of your sniffy colleagues who like to quote more obscure works!
Book Review: Head First Excellent Again
Summary: 5 Stars
Having loved Head First Java, and wanting to move to the next level of programming, I read this book and it was exactly what I wanted. Even at my beginner level of Java, my code has benefitted hugely from the patterns in this book.
The patterns are clearly explained and the examples illustrate them perfectly, so you can see exactly how and where you'd apply them in you own programs.
A great book that is easy to read end to end (how many computing books can boast that?)! You learn as you read, so by the end you feel a whole lot cleverer!
Will.