CSC/ECE 517 Fall 2009/wiki3 1 ab

Antipattern

An AntiPattern describes a commonly occurring solution to a problem that generates negative consequences. The term was coined in 1995 by Andrew Koenig,[3] inspired by Gang of Four's book Design Patterns, which developed the concept of design patterns in the software field. Antipatterns are documented in detail nowadays in software design because identifying bad practices can be as valuable as identifying good practices. A well formulated AntiPattern also tells us why the bad solution looks attractive (e.g. it actually works in some narrow context), why it turns out to be bad, and what positive patterns are applicable in its stead. As an example, consider braking in a car (in the days before antilock brakes): if the conditions involve ice, solving the "I must stop" problem by firmly depressing the brake would be an AntiPattern: it seems like a good idea, but it has a fatal flaw in that firm braking on ice causes skidding and little deceleration. Studying the AntiPattern teaches you to pump the brake, a more appropriate solution Pattern.

AntiPatterns identify and categorize the common mistakes in software practice, which is a target-rich environment for research in AntiPatterns . AntiPatterns also identify alternative solutions and extend the field of design patterns research into exciting new areas and issues, including: refactoring, reengineering, system extension, and system migration.

When Antipatterns are used

The problem of Antipatterns arises mostly when

• Not using any design patterns during design or coding though this will work at the beginning but doubtful if it will withstand the test of times.
• Time becomes the biggest constraint. Agile methodologies dominating the projects arena in the recent times, tend to leave design to the wayside entirely and that has become the popular belief for a proper approach. This fits in perfectly with management’s request of trying to get things done right now no matter what. Refactoring becomes a much bigger part of the process through iterations. However, not attempting to recognize components and apply patterns where applicable before “diving in” and just getting it coded can very negatively effect the project’s long term success.
• Patterns are over used and the situation does not demand it. Just like lack of design patterns usage is an antipattern, overusing patterns is an antipattern too. Extensive use of patterns, when there is not a need makes the code nowhere near maintainable. This in turn, conflicts one of the most important goals of design patterns, code maintainability.