Design patterns are standardized solutions to common design problems in software development. They serve as templates or blueprints that can be adapted to solve specific issues, promoting best practices and improving code maintainability and scalability. Design patterns are not specific pieces of code; rather, they provide a framework that developers can follow to implement solutions tailored to their applications ²⁵.

There are three main categories of design patterns: creational, structural, and behavioral. Creational patterns focus on object creation mechanisms, allowing for more flexibility and abstraction. Structural patterns deal with how objects and classes are composed to form larger structures, while behavioral patterns manage communication and responsibilities between objects ⁴⁵.

Using design patterns can significantly enhance code readability and maintainability, as they encapsulate proven solutions to recurring problems. Familiarity with design patterns can also streamline the development process, as developers can leverage existing knowledge rather than reinventing the wheel ¹⁴.