Intended as a companion volume to the seminal design patterns text [1] that has revolutionized object technology and software architecture, this book (as its title implies) applies these patterns to a specific programming language, Smalltalk. It uses the same object design notations as Gamma et al., such as Object Modeling Technique (OMT) diagrams, introduced in chapter 1. The first chapter also discusses the difference between C++, which was used in the previous book, and Smalltalk, which is used in this one. Chapter 2 presents the basic concepts of design patterns entertainingly and informatively, through the use of several interactions between patterns mentor “Jane” and patterns novice “Don.”

Chapters 3, 4, and 5 are structured in the same way as the corresponding chapters in the earlier book. They cover the same creational, structural, and behavioral patterns. For each pattern, the intent and OMT notation structure are provided, followed by a discussion of the potential uses of the pattern in Smalltalk. One or more implementations (including sample Smalltalk code) are provided. Known Smalltalk uses of the patterns in the language class library are briefly presented, and related patterns are also discussed.

Chapter 6 provides a brief summary and a taxonomy of several available resources, including pattern Web sites, conferences, discussion groups, and books. A comprehensive set of references and a well-constructed and readable index follow.

I highly recommend this book to people who will be using design patterns for eventual implementation in Smalltalk.