Design patterns are like recipes for solving common problems that software developers face. Just like how a recipe tells us step-by-step how to make a dish, a design pattern tells us step-by-step how to solve a specific problem in your code.
There are many different design patterns, each with a unique name, the Singleton pattern, and the Factory pattern. Each pattern has its own set of instructions on how to solve a specific problem, such as how to make sure only one of a certain type of object exists at a time.
Using design patterns can make your code easier to understand, maintain and scale. Because these patterns are well-tested and have been used by many developers, it’s likely that any problem we run into has already been solved by a design pattern.
In simple terms, Design patterns are a set of best practices and solutions that have been proven to work well in solving a specific problem, making our code more organized, maintainable, and reusable.
Classification of Design Patterns
Design patterns are typically classified into three main categories:
- Creational
- Structural
- Behavioral
Creational
Creational patterns deal with object creation mechanisms, trying to create objects in a manner suitable to the situation. These patterns increase flexibility in the programming by decoupling the client from the objects it creates.
Examples of creational patterns include the Singleton, Factory Method, and Abstract Factory patterns.
Structural
Structural patterns deal with object composition, creating relationships between objects to form larger structures. These patterns increase the flexibility and efficiency of the system by identifying a simple way to realize relationships between objects.
Examples of structural patterns include the Adapter, Bridge, and Composite patterns.
Behavioral
Behavioral patterns focus on communication between objects, what goes on between objects, and how they operate together. These patterns increase flexibility by assigning clear responsibilities between objects and modeled relationships.
Examples of behavioral patterns include the Iterator, Observer, and Visitor patterns.
Advantages/Disadvantages of using Design Patterns
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Reusability: Design patterns provide a common language and a set of best practices that can be easily reused and understood by other developers. This can lead to a more efficient and consistent development process. | Overuse: Design patterns can be overused or misused, leading to overly complex and difficult-to-maintain code. |
| Flexibility: Design patterns provide a way to organize and structure code in a flexible way, making it easier to adapt to changing requirements and maintain the code over time. | Not suitable for all situations: Design patterns may not be suitable for every situation and should be used with care. |
| Maintainability: Design patterns promote a clean and organized codebase, making it easier to find and fix bugs, and make changes to the code. | Learning curve: Design patterns can be difficult to learn and understand, requiring developers to invest time and effort to become proficient in their use. |
| Problem-solving: Design patterns provide a proven solution to common programming problems, allowing developers to focus on solving the problem at hand rather than spending time trying to come up with a solution. | Extra complexity: The use of patterns can add an extra layer of complexity to the code, making it harder to understand for a new developer or for someone who is not familiar with the pattern. |
Criticisms of Design Patterns
There are a few criticisms against design patterns in the developer community:
- Overuse or misuse: Some developers argue that design patterns are often overused or misused, leading to overly complex and difficult-to-maintain code. There is also an argument that some developers use design patterns as a crutch, instead of understanding the underlying principles and solving problems in a more elegant way.
- Not suitable for all situations: Critics argue that design patterns are not always suitable for every situation and that they should be used with care. There is also an argument that some patterns may not be well suited to certain programming languages or frameworks.
- Too much focus on patterns: There is an argument that the emphasis on design patterns can lead to a lack of focus on other important aspects of software development, such as testing, debugging, and performance optimization.
- Not always necessary: There is also an argument that design patterns are not always necessary, and that simple, straightforward solutions are often more effective and easier to maintain.
Conclusion
It’s worth noting that design patterns are not the ultimate solution for every problem and should be used with care and consideration.
Also, it’s important to understand the principles behind the patterns and not just use them blindly. It’s also vital to understand the trade-offs and costs of using a certain pattern, to make an informed decision.
In addition, it’s essential to keep in mind that the effectiveness of design patterns depends on the specific context of the problem and the team’s experience and familiarity with the pattern.
Pingback: Simple Factory Design Pattern - TechnCode Tools