What is the difference between the Composite Pattern and the Factory Pattern?

What is the difference between the Composite Pattern and the Factory Pattern?

The Composite Pattern is used to treat individual objects and compositions of objects uniformly, while the Factory Pattern is used to create objects without specifying the exact class of object that will be created.

Can you give me an example of each pattern?

Sure! For the Composite Pattern, think of a graphic system where shapes can be individual shapes or groups of shapes. For the Factory Pattern, consider a car factory that produces different types of cars based on the input parameters.

When should I use one pattern over the other?

Use the Composite Pattern when you need to work with tree structures and want to treat individual and composite objects the same. Use the Factory Pattern when you want to encapsulate the instantiation logic and create objects without exposing the creation logic to the client.

Are there any drawbacks to using these patterns?

Yes, the Composite Pattern can lead to a more complex structure, making it harder to understand. The Factory Pattern can introduce additional classes, which may complicate the codebase.