Head First Design Patterns (Head First) | 
 enlarge | Authors: Elisabeth Freeman, Eric Freeman, Bert Bates, Kathy Sierra
Publisher: O'Reilly Media, Inc.
Category: Book
List Price: $44.95
Buy New: $22.00
You Save: $22.95 (51%)
New (41) Used (29) from $22.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  237 reviews
Sales Rank: 2159
Format: Illustrated
Media: Paperback
Edition: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 676
Shipping Weight (lbs): 3.3
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 8 x 1.7
ISBN: 0596007124
Dewey Decimal Number: 005.1
EAN: 9780596007126
ASIN: 0596007124
Publication Date: October 25, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Never read, in perfect condition
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Product Description
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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| Customer Reviews: Read 232 more reviews...
 Head First is good for your brain. May 26, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
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.
My suggestion is to pick up one of these books in a book store, skim through it to get the idea of where they're coming from, then buy the book from Amazon. (It's cheaper.)
They use a lot of graphic characters, conversations amongst characters, crossword puzzles, etc. It's not just a text book but a way to learn new technical material. They take a potentially dry subject and make it tasty and exciting.
I hope to see more Head First books in the future.
Finally! May 10, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Finally, a book that explains the basic design patterns, in Java, in a way that makes sense.
Amazing and fun book April 17, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
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 declaring it can't be considered a reference guide, yes it is, although fun, the book is an excelent reference guide.
The best way to learn the main design patterns April 5, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
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 or if you want to find out what the deal is with this whole 'design pattern' thing then this book is the easiest way to get started. For those who need to know all 23 design patterns then you might be stuck with the famous "Gang of Four" book which is not as easy or entertaining as this book but good none the less.
Wonderfull March 28, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
It's really wonderfull. Not only funny to read, the most important thing: you learn a lot with it.
If you know very much about patterns and object oriented design you may find it useless... but even then you'll admit it's a great book for beginners and for people (not only beginners) who's been working with Java (or other OOLanguage) but haven't learnt subtle details. It makes you realize how many things can be always done better. It takes enough time to explain everything well. And finally, it doesn't only teach patterns but a bit of OODesign in general.
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