Integration of Elementary Patterns with Data Stuctures

Abstract

We have designed a data structures course wherein the use of explicit patterns in data structures is used as a teaching mechanism to foster understanding of foundational concepts. Students are taught design patterns as well as the recognition of such patterns, allowing them to gain a broader understanding of data structures as concepts somewhat independent of language implementation, and have a stronger knowledge-base on which to build further concepts in computer science. The course is taught in Java and focuses on the integration of laboratory work with lecture.