Erich Gamma (born 1961 in Zürich) is a co-author of the influential computer science textbook, Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software. He co-wrote the JUnit software testing framework with Kent Beck and led the design of the Eclipse platform's Java Development Tools ( JDT).
Erich is currently working on the IBM Rational Jazz project.
In an interview in 2005, Erich Gamma explained: I think patterns as a whole can help people learn object-oriented thinking: how you can leverage polymorphism, design for composition, delegation, balance responsibilities, and provide pluggable behavior. Patterns go beyond applying objects to some graphical shape example, with a shape class hierarchy and some polymorphic draw method. You really learn about polymorphism when you've understood the patterns. So patterns are good for learning OO and design in general.
Written
Erich Gamma on Flexibility and Reuse
Design Principles from Design Patterns
Patterns and Practice
Eclipse's Culture of Shipping
Audio
Erich Gamma on Patterns, JUnit, Eclipse and Jazz (at Software Engineering Radio)