What are the best practices in the strategy pattern?

What are the best practices in the strategy pattern?

The strategy pattern is a behavioral design pattern that enables selecting an algorithm's behavior at runtime. Best practices include: 1. Define a family of algorithms, encapsulate each one, and make them interchangeable. 2. Use composition over inheritance to promote flexibility. 3. Keep the context class unaware of the concrete strategies to reduce coupling.

Can you give an example of how to implement it?

Sure! For instance, if you have a sorting algorithm, you can create a SortStrategy interface with a method sort(). Then, implement different sorting strategies like BubbleSort, QuickSort, etc. The context class can use a SortStrategy to perform sorting without knowing the details of the algorithm.

What are the advantages of using the strategy pattern?

The strategy pattern promotes code reusability and separation of concerns. It allows you to change algorithms at runtime, making your code more flexible and easier to maintain. Additionally, it adheres to the Open/Closed Principle, as you can introduce new strategies without modifying existing code.

Are there any common pitfalls to avoid?

Yes, some common pitfalls include overusing the strategy pattern for simple cases where a single algorithm suffices, leading to unnecessary complexity. Also, ensure that the strategies are cohesive and focused on a single responsibility to avoid confusion.