> I did not start with OO, I never read the GoF book, and don't really get the obsession with design patterns and everything surrounding them. Unrelated to you

> I did not start with OO, I never read the GoF book, and don't really get the obsession with design patterns and everything surrounding them. Unrelated to your original point, you should consider reading the book. Pay special attention to the section introducing the motivation for each pattern and the problem it solves. Over-engineering programs to deliberately include patterns is to be avoided; but there is no harm is knowing the patterns and when they apply by reading the original material.