Java Profiles
Mark
Grand
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Mark Grand is the author of a series of books titled
Patterns in Java, which teach the basics of design patterns
and provide examples of their implementation in the Java
programming language. He is also currently one of the architects of an open-source application framework
for e-commerce called Hatchware. In this
exclusive interview, we talk with Mark about design patterns. |
Q: You've written extensively on the topic of design patterns in
Java. For the benefit of people unsure exactly what one is, how would you define a design pattern?
A: A very simple definition for a pattern is a reusable solution to a recurring
problem. A design pattern is a pattern that solves a software design problem.
Some other pattern writers take exception to such a simple definition of
pattern, because it does not address important form and style issues. For
people who may be interested in reading patterns, I think this definition is
good enough.
Q: Design patterns are very popular with developers using
languages like C++. There's a range of books aimed at a C++ audience, but a
relatively small amount of titles for Java. How does Java stack up to C++ in
general, and specifically with regard to design patterns.
A: There has been much material written that compares Java and C++. Most
design patterns are language neutral, although the specific solution that
they propose may be slanted towards a particular language. The differences
that you see are typical of the language's different object models. Where
you may see multiple inheritance or abstract classes in an example oriented
towards C++, you will usually see interfaces in a Java oriented solution.
Another difference that you find is in applying some patterns. C++ gives
you more than one way of doing many things, where Java give you just one.
For example, C++ allows an object to contain a value or a pointer to the
value. This means having to make more decisions in how to apply a pattern.
Q: Do you find the lack of certain C++ features like multiple
inheritance and generic types in Java a hindrance when designing software,
or do they make object designs simpler?
A: As you may guess from my previous response, I generally find that my designs
are simpler when designing for Java. Multiple inheritence is something that
I rarely use. Generic types simplify coding, but do not have much impact on
design. I understand that JavaSoft has looked at some proposal for generic
types, but has not acted on the proposals yet.
Q: You've written two volumes on Java design patterns, and I
understand a third volume is underway. What can readers expect to gain from
these books? Does an understanding of design patterns make life easier on
programmers, make software more robust and reliable, or are there productivity bonuses?
A: Experience gives programmers a variety of wisdom. As programmers gain
experience, they recognize the similarity of new problems to problems they
have solved before. With even more experience, they recognize that the solutions for similar problems follow recurring patterns. With the knowledge
of these patterns, experienced programmers recognize the situations where
patterns apply and immediately use the solution without having to stop, analyze the problem, and then pose possible strategies.
When a programmer discovers a pattern, it's just an insight. In most cases,
to go from an unverbalized insight to a well thought-out idea that the programmer can clearly articulate is surprisingly difficult. It's also an
extremely valuable step. When we understand a pattern well enough to put it
into words, we are able to intelligently combine it with other patterns.
More importantly, once put into words, a pattern can be used in discussions
among programmers who know the pattern. That allows programmers to more effectively collaborate and combine their wisdom. It can also help to avoid
the situation where programmers argue over different solutions to a problem,
only to find out later that they were really thinking of the same solution
but expressing it in different ways.
Putting a pattern into words has an additional benefit for less
experienced programmers who have not yet discovered the pattern. Once a pattern has been
put into words, more experienced programmers can teach it to programmers who
aren't familiar with the pattern.
The Patterns in Java books I have written provide experienced programmers
with a common vocabulary to discuss patterns. It also allows programmers who
have not yet discovered a pattern to learn about the pattern.
Each of the volumes of Patterns in Java have a different focus.
The first volume is about micro-architecture design patterns. The patterns
in there tend to focus on issues such as how to create objects, organize
behavior, manage complexity and multi-threading.
The pattern topics that the second volume covers include patters for GUI
design, coding and testing. I wrote that with the idea that people can use
information about patterns outside of the design realm.
The third volume of Patterns in Java will focus on design patterns for
enterprise and distributed applications. There seems to be a lot of
interest in it. I am behind schedule, but I am still hoping that it will be
out before the end of the year. The current working outline is at
http://www.mindspring.com/~mgrand/pattern_synopses3.htm
I still need people to review some of my chapters, if any of your readers
would be interested.
Q: Design patterns are often expressed using Unified Modeling
Language notation. What's your opinion of UML diagrams? While many universities
now teach UML diagrams, do you think that they're accessible to the average
programmer?
A: There are really two issues in your questions. UML is just a notation for
expressing software designs. I like it because its basic feature set is
focused on the essentials. There are some specialized design details, such as thread synchronization
semantics, that UML does not provide a good way to express.
Because UML is just a notation for expressing software designs rather than a
full blown design methodology, it is possible to learn UML without knowing
much about software design.
The reason that I have chosen to use UML in my books is that it is currently
the most popular notation for software designs.
Q: Thanks for your perspective on design patterns, Mark
- they certainly appear to be an important topic for developers. Readers
interested in learning more about design patterns will find the Patterns
in Java series available in your local bookstore, or online from
Amazon.com.
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