A design pattern is a formal way of documenting successful solutions to problems. The idea was introduced by the architect Christopher Alexander and has been adapted for various other disciplines.^{[citation needed]} Christopher Alexander (born October 4, 1936 in Vienna, Austria) is an architect noted for his theories about design, and for more than 200 building projects in California, Japan, Mexico and around the world. ...

Main article

• Pattern language - cross-domain analysis and overview of design patterns and pattern languages.

A pattern language is a special form of textual documentation, used to document successful solutions to typical challenges in a design process. ...

Domain-specific articles

• Pattern (architecture), a way of capturing and communicating design ideas in architecture.
• Design pattern (computer science), a standard solution to common problems in software design.
• Architectural pattern (computer science), a standard solution to architectural problems in software engineering.
• Interaction design pattern, used in interaction design / HCI.
• Pedagogical patterns, documenting good practices in teaching.

The idea of capturing design ideas as a pattern is usually attributed to Christopher Alexander, a Austrian born American architect. ... In software engineering (or computer science), a design pattern is a general repeatable solution to a commonly occurring problem in software design. ... Architectural patterns are software patterns that offer well-established solutions to architectural problems in software engineering. ... In interaction design, an interaction design (ID) pattern is a general repeatable solution to a commonly-occurring usability problem in interface design or interaction design. ... In the last years the scope of pattern languages has expanded to include domains as diverse as group work, software design, human computer interaction, education, etc. ...

Book titles

• A Pattern Language by Christopher Alexander, with patterns for the design of towns and buildings (architecture).
• Design Patterns ("Gang-of-four book") by Erich Gamma et al, with patterns for object-oriented programming (software engineering).
• Designing Interfaces by Jenifer Tidwell, with patterns for interaction design
• Head First Design Patterns by Eric Freeman and Elisabeth Freeman, a book that explains design patterns in an interesting and simple way

A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction is a 1977 book on architecture. ... This article is about the book by Gamma et al. ...

See also

• Style guide, repeatable graphic design elements and styles.