Design pattern (computer science)

In software engineering, a design pattern is a general solution to a common problem in software design. A design pattern isn't a finished design that can be transformed directly into code; it is a description or template for how to solve a problem that can be used in many different situations. Object-oriented design patterns typically show relationships and interactions between classes or objects, without specifying the final application classes or objects that are involved. Algorithms are not thought of as design patterns, since they solve computational problems rather than design problems.

See also

• Anti-pattern
• Pattern mining
• Pedagogical patterns
• Portland Pattern Repository
• Programming practice
• Refactoring
• Software engineering and List of software engineering topics