Patterns in Practice (Kevlin Henney)

Patterns have become popular as a way of talking about the design of code and the software architecture of systems, but often the view of what patterns can offer is too limited. It is often assumed that patterns refer only to software design and programming or can only be found in a few books.

Existing published catalogues of patterns are certainly useful for learning, for reference and for creating a shared design vocabulary, but one of the original aims of patterns was to allow people to capture and communicate the design ideas that they found in their own work. This kind of reflection and retrospection can help a team understand some of its own tacit knowledge and help others, perhaps newcomers to a team, to understand the intentions and rationale of a design beyond the surface requirements and the visible design artefacts. Design in this case can refer not just to code-centred components: user interfaces, testing, information architecture, organisational structure, development practices, etc.

This tutorial introduces patterns to those who are new to them and reintroduces patterns to those who may already have knowledge of common software design patterns. The tutorial will present concepts and examples, as well as involve participants in techniques that they can use to find and express patterns in their own work.