AntiPatterns

AntiPatterns:
Refactoring Software, Architectures, and Projects in Crisis
AuthorThe "Upstart Gang of Four":
William Brown,
Raphael Malveau,
Skip McCormick,
Tom Mowbray
SubjectDesign patterns, software engineering, anti-patterns
PublisherJohn Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Publication date
1998
Publication placeUnited States
ISBN978-0-471-19713-3

AntiPatterns: Refactoring Software, Architectures, and Projects in Crisis[1] is a book about anti-patterns: specific repeated practices in software architecture, software design and software project management that initially appear to be beneficial, but ultimately result in bad consequences that outweigh hoped-for advantages. This study covers several recurring problematic software-related patterns, the forces that inspire their repeated adoption, and proven-in-practice remedial actions, called refactored solutions. The authors are William Brown, Raphael Malveau, Skip McCormick, and Tom Mowbray; with Scott Thomas joining in on second and third books. Four of the five authors worked together at Mitre Corporation in the late 1990s.

Sometimes referred to as an "Upstart Gang-Of-Four" the authors were frequently (and often unfavorably) compared to the original Design Patterns by Gang of Four. This began with a favorable review and 1998 runner-up Jolt Productivity Award given by Software Development magazine.[2][3] The controversy around this book, and the concept of an anti-pattern has been said to stem from a somewhat common misunderstanding that the authors were somehow opposed to design patterns. However the authors explained within the book itself that they are big fans of design patterns; their objective was to build on the concept by providing constructive means for dealing with the frequent "patterns of failure" they had professionally dealt with.

  1. ^ Brown, William J.; Malveau, Raphael C.; McCormick, Hays W. "Skip"; Mowbray, Thomas J. (1998). Hudson, Theresa (ed.). AntiPatterns: Refactoring Software, Architectures, and Projects in Crisis. John Wiley & Sons, ltd. ISBN 978-0-471-19713-3.
  2. ^ "Previous Winners: Books". Dr. Dobb's Journal. Archived from the original on 2008-07-06. Retrieved 2008-04-06.
  3. ^ Alan Zeichick. "9th Annual Jolt and Productivity Awards". Dr. Dobb's Journal. Archived from the original on 23 March 2008. Retrieved 2008-04-06.