Structural Design Patterns Used in Data Structures Implementation

Design patterns may introduce a new perspective on the traditional subject of data structures. They introduce more flexibility and reusability in data structures implementation and use. This analysis shows that design patterns could bring important advantages in basic fields of Computer Science, too. Beside the advantages brought for data structures, presenting them in this perspective represents also a simple and efficient modality to introduce design patterns in early courses of computer science. We analyze in this paper structural design patterns that can be used for data structures implementation, and their advantages. Examples that illustrate the impact of the design patterns in this context are presented.