Gain insights into software design patterns in C, explore their implementation, discover underlying principles, and learn to build a vocabulary for better communication and coding practices.

c.tar.gz

main+customer.c

main+customer.c-copy

watches

customers

observer

Reactor

Reactor-copy

observer-copy

Software design patterns are a valuable tool in any software developer's skill set. However, most design patterns are described in the context of an object-oriented programming language such as C++ or Java. The C language is sadly absent in the pattern literature. This course is here to change that by demonstrating that it is possible to use patterns in C programs and how it adds benefits to C programmers. You will learn why design patterns are more of a communication tool than technical solutions, and how patterns let you build and share a common vocabulary that simplifies communication.

The course presents a number of patterns and explains how to implement them in C. Each pattern is introduced via the problem it solves and the domains where the pattern can be used. We also discuss the underlying design principles as well as the trade-offs when applying the pattern. Finally, the course covers a set of coding idioms that will guide you when applying design patterns in C.

Software Design Patterns in C

Assertions are a powerful programming tool that must not be confused with error handling. Instead, we should primarily use them to state something that is known to be true due to a surrounding context. 

Validating function arguments is good programming practice and so is high cohesion. To
simplify functions and increase their cohesion we often have them delegate to small, internal functions.
When passing around pointers, we validate them once, pass them on and state that we know they
are valid with an assertion.

> Please note that compilers before **C99** take the macro argument to assert as
an integral constant, which requires programmers to assert ```NULL != myPointer```, for well-defined
behavior.

In this lesson, we will briefly explain the Assertion Context idiom.

Introduction to Pattern in C

The First-Class ADT Pattern

The State Pattern

The Strategy Pattern

The Observer Pattern

The Reactor Pattern

Idiomatic Expressions

Conclusion

Assertion Context

Problem Context