Once you've learned the fundamentals of Java, understanding Design Patterns is essential in being able to write clear, concise and effective code. This book gives you a step-by-step guide to object-oriented development, using tried and trusted techniques. The examples have been deliberately kept simple, enabling you to concentrate on understanding the concepts and application of each pattern. The examples have also been designed around a common theme, making it easier for you to see how they relate to each other and more importantly how you can adapt them to your applications. While the book assumes a basic knowledge of Java you certainly don't need to be a guru. This book is perfect for the programmer who wishes to take their skills up to the next level, so you can feel confident about using Java in real-world applications. Coverage includes all 23 of the patterns described in the "Gang of Four" work, plus additional useful patterns including Model-View-Controller, and simple UML diagrams.