What are the differences between various class design patterns?

What are the differences between the Singleton and Factory design patterns?

The Singleton pattern ensures a class has only one instance and provides a global point of access. The Factory pattern, on the other hand, is used to create objects without specifying the exact class of object that will be created.

Can you give me an example of when to use the Singleton pattern?

Sure! The Singleton pattern is often used for logging, where you want to ensure that all parts of your application use the same logging instance.

What about the Factory pattern? When should I use it?

The Factory pattern is useful when your code needs to create objects that share a common interface but may have different implementations, like creating different types of user accounts.

Are there any other design patterns I should know about?

Yes, there are many! Some other important patterns include Observer, Strategy, and Decorator patterns, each serving different purposes.