You can now get a professional version of my design patterns quick reference from DZone. This newly published version has the same diagrams as my version but it is a bit more robust in that it offers a description, a “use when” section, and an implementation example for each pattern. I tried to take all the examples from real world scenarios and applications so that they would be as easy to relate to as possible.
This new version is a 7 page spread as opposed to my slimmed down 2 page version. Both are still available and, in my opinion, very useful.
There is no feasible way to incorporate code samples into anything and still consider it a “quick reference”, so you’ll need to understand at least a little bit of UML for this to be worthwhile. You can check out a quick reference for UML here and here.
This is a free download – you just have to have a DZone account.
You can also get design patterns gear (shirts, posters, etc.) here.
The reason to keep both is that the quick reference is just that – it simply gives the pattern diagram, name, and a one-liner of what it does. It is meant to be just a memory aid – you’d have to understand the patterns fairly well for it to be of much use. The RefCard has a lot more information, most importantly, a usage sample that I tried to take from a real world implementation. While this is still partially meant to be a memory jogger it also has enough information in it that people could theoretically learn new patterns from it too.
And there is a reason to keep both, as their names say:
Design Patterns Quick Reference
Design Patterns Refcard – (more detailed with examples)
Anyway great job!
Congratulations, Jason! You have outdone yourself (literally) and I bet this will be one of the most popular DZone Refcardz ever. Thanks for your hard work. A lot of people will learn from it.
Rick
Way to go, Jason!
The cards look great.