Java Design Pattern training by Oracle

Recently, I had the an opportunity to attend Oracle University's Java Design Patterns course, and yes, was it a great learning experience. As a SW engineer who's been writing Java code for years, I thought I knew most about object-oriented programming. interestingly, I had so much more to learn.

The First Day: Realising How Much I Didn't Know

Walking into the training room, I was confident. I mean, I'd been coding Java for several years. (all other colleagues went with me were senior java devs too) But within the first hour, it became clear that design patterns were more than just a fancy term developers throw around.

The instructor started by breaking down what design patterns really mean. It's not just about writing code - it's about creating a common language for developers. Imagine being able to say "I'll use a Facade pattern here" and have every developer instantly understand your intention - hurray!

What Exactly Did I Learn?

The course covered some mind-blowing patterns: Facade Pattern, Strategy Pattern, Observer Pattern to name few.

Hands-On Labs: Where Theory Meets Practice

The practical sessions were intense. Using NetBeans and GlassFish, we didn't just learn about patterns - we implemented them. The instructors made us refactor existing code, showing how design patterns could transform messy, hard-to-maintain code into elegant solutions.

// A simple example of how we learned to refactor 
public class ComplexSystemFacade { 

 private SubSystemA systemA; 
 private SubSystemB systemB; 

 public void performComplexOperation() { 
 // Simplified interaction between subsystems systemA.doSomething(); systemB.doSomethingElse(); 
 } 
}

UML: The Secret Language of Architects

One surprising highlight was learning UML notation. Before this course, I was using UML diagrams for my work, but honestly it was just basic component and class diagrams only.. Now? I can actually communicate design concepts visually!

Enterprise Java and Patterns

The course wasn't just about academic concepts. We dove deep into how design patterns apply specifically to Java EE's different tiers - business logic, integration, and presentation. This was crucial for understanding real-world application architecture.

I won't lie - some concepts were tough. Understanding the nuances of Dependency Injection or grasping the Thread Tracker pattern wasn't instant. But the "aha!" moments made every challenging minute worthwhile.

Why This Matters for Java Developers

Design patterns aren't just academic exercises. They:

  • Provide a common vocabulary for developers
  • Help create more maintainable code
  • Make complex systems easier to understand
  • Reduce the likelihood of introducing bugs

My Biggest Takeaway

The most important lesson? Good design is about communication. These patterns aren't just technical constructs - they're a way for developers to speak a shared language.

Recommendations for Fellow Developers

  1. Don't just learn patterns - understand their purpose
  2. Practice, practice, practice
  3. Always consider the context before applying a pattern
  4. Remember: Not every problem needs a complex solution

Looking Ahead

This training has fundamentally changed how I approach Java development. I'm not just writing code anymore - I'm architecting solutions.

To my fellow Java developers: If you get a chance to take this Oracle University course, do it! Your future self will thank you.

For more details, visit Oracle University's course page ORACLE UNIVERSITY - https://education.oracle.com/en/java-design-patterns/courP_137).

Stay curious, keep learning, and may your code always be elegant! 🚀

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