(In topic `architecture`) Acronym for the so-called Gang of Four (Gamma, Helm, Johnson & Vlissides), whose book entitled ‘Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software` published in 1994, popularised the use of Software Patterns in OO & software design. Patterns consequently became a much hyped, ‘hot-topic` & OOD buzzw... Found on http://www.encyclo.co.uk/local/20477