Editing Anti-pattern (section)

== Definition ==
According to the authors of ''Design Patterns'', there are two key elements to an anti-pattern that distinguish it from a bad habit, bad practice, or bad idea:

# The anti-pattern is a commonly-used process, structure or pattern of action that, despite initially appearing to be an appropriate and effective response to a problem, has more bad consequences than good ones.
# Another solution exists to the problem the anti-pattern is attempting to address. This solution is documented, repeatable, and proven to be effective where the anti-pattern is not.

A guide to what is commonly used is a "rule-of-three" similar to that for patterns: to be an anti-pattern it must have been witnessed occurring at least three times.{{sfn|Neill|Laplante|DeFranco|2011|p=6}}