Factory vs Factory Method vs Abstract Factory: A Comprehensive Guide
Understanding the nuances between Factory, Factory Method, and Abstract Factory design patterns can be overwhelming. This article aims to clarify their differences, provide practical use cases, and offer Java examples to enhance your grasp of these patterns.
1. Understanding the Differences
All three patterns encapsulate object creation, but they vary in their implementation:
2. When to Use Each Pattern
Factory: Use when you need to create fixed types of objects with straightforward creation logic.
Factory Method: Consider when you want to defer the decision of which object to create to subclasses and ensure consistent object creation through a common interface.
Abstract Factory: Ideal for creating families of related objects that must be mutually compatible and type-safe.
3. Java Examples
Factory
<code class="java">// FruitFactory class implementing Factory pattern for creating Apple and Orange objects class FruitFactory { public Apple createApple() { return new Apple(); } public Orange createOrange() { return new Orange(); } }</code>
Factory Method
<code class="java">// FruitPicker abstract class implementing Factory Method pattern abstract class FruitPicker { protected abstract Fruit createFruit(); public void pickFruit() { Fruit fruit = createFruit(); // Logic for processing the fruit } } // OrangePicker extending FruitPicker and overriding createFruit() class OrangePicker extends FruitPicker { @Override protected Fruit createFruit() { return new Orange(); } }</code>
Abstract Factory
<code class="java">// FruitFactory interface providing Abstract Factory pattern interface FruitFactory { Fruit createFruit(); Picker createPicker(); } // AppleFactory implementing FruitFactory for Apple-specific objects class AppleFactory implements FruitFactory { @Override public Fruit createFruit() { return new Apple(); } @Override public Picker createPicker() { return new ApplePicker(); } }</code>
In conclusion, Factory, Factory Method, and Abstract Factory patterns offer distinct approaches to object creation and ensure code flexibility and extensibility. By understanding their differences and use cases, you can effectively leverage these patterns in your software development projects.
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