A Little Java, A fewer Patterns

The First Bit of Advice

When specigying a collection of data, use abstract classes for datatypes and extended classes for variants.

The Second Bit of Advice

When writing a function over a datatype, place a method in each of the variants that
make up the datatype to the same datatype, the method may call the corresponding method
of the field in computing the function.

The Third Bit of Advice

When writing a function that returns values of a datatype, use new to create these values.

The Fourth Bit of of Advice

When writing several functions for the same self-referantial datatype, use visitor protocols
so that all methods for a function can be found in a single class.

The Sixth Bit of Advice

When the additional consumed values change for a self-referential use of a visitor,
don’t forget to create a new visitor.

The Seventh Bit of Advice

When designing visitor protocols for many different types, create a unifying protocols
using Object.

The Eighth Bit of Advice

When extending a class, use overriding to enrich its functionality.

The Ninth Bit of Advice

If a datatype may have to be extended, be forward looking and use a constructor-like
(overridable) method so that visitors can be extended, too.

The Tenth Bit of Advice

When modifications to objects are needed, use a class to insulate the operations
that modify objects. Otherwise, beware the consequences of your actions.