When we want to return one sub-class object from multiple sub-classes using an input, should use Factory design pattern. Factory class takes responsibility of instantiation the class (We can return Singleton instance from static factory method).
In Factory pattern, we create an object without exposing the creation logic to the client and refer to a newly created object using a common interface.
Example:
Coffee/Vending machine, give input from options and as per input coffee, lemon tea, plain milk or hot water will be an output.
package com.algorithm.forum.design.patterns;
enum Choice {
Coffee, LemonTea, PlainWater;
}
interface Drink {
void prepare();
}
class Coffee implements Drink {
@Override
public void prepare() {
System.out.println("Coffee is prepared !!");
}
}
class LemonTea implements Drink {
@Override
public void prepare() {
System.out.println("Lemon Tea is prepared !!");
}
}
class PlainWater implements Drink {
@Override
public void prepare() {
System.out.println("Plain Water is prepared !!");
}
}
class VedingMachine {
private static String pck = "com.algorithm.forum.design.patterns.";
/**
* This method will return the Drink on the basis of required data.
* Simple if else blocks are used here.
*/
public static Drink getDrink(Choice choice) {
Drink drink = null;
if(choice==Choice.PlainWater) {
drink = new PlainWater();
} else if(choice==Choice.Coffee) {
drink = new Coffee();
} else if(choice==Choice.LemonTea) {
drink = new LemonTea();
}
return drink;
}
/**
* This method will create the Drink using Reflection as per the requested data.
*/
public static Drink getDrinkReflection(Choice choice) {
Drink drink = null;
String className = pck +choice.toString();
try {
drink = (Drink) Class.forName(className).newInstance();
} catch (InstantiationException | IllegalAccessException
| ClassNotFoundException e) {
}
return drink;
}
}
public class FactoryPatternTest {
public static void main(String[] args) {
System.out.println("Create factory using if else:");
Drink drink = VedingMachine.getDrink(Choice.Coffee);
drink.prepare();
System.out.println("\nCreate factory using Reflection:");
drink = VedingMachine.getDrinkReflection(Choice.LemonTea);
drink.prepare();
}
}
Output:
Create factory using if else:
Coffee is prepared!!
Create factory using Reflection:
Lemon Tea is prepared!!
Benefits of Factory Method Pattern:
Factory Method Pattern provides an approach to code for interface rather than implementation and it provides the abstraction between implementation and client classes through inheritance.
Factory Method Pattern allows the sub-classes to choose the type of objects to create. We can easily change the implementation of sub-class because client program is unaware of this. It makes the code more robust, less coupled and easy to extend (client interacts solely with the resultant interface or abstract class).
Usage in JDK:
java.util.Calendar, ResourceBundle and NumberFormat getInstance() methods uses Factory pattern.
valueOf() method in wrapper classes like Boolean, Integer etc.
Spring and Hibernate frameworks.
