What are the differences between composite patterns and decorator patterns?

What are the differences between composite patterns and decorator patterns?

Composite patterns are used to treat individual objects and compositions uniformly, while decorator patterns add behavior to objects dynamically.

Can you give me an example of each pattern?

Sure! In a composite pattern, you might have a graphic system where shapes can be grouped. In a decorator pattern, you could have a coffee class that can be decorated with milk or sugar.

When should I use one over the other?

Use composite when you need to work with tree structures and treat individual and composite objects the same. Use decorator when you want to add responsibilities to objects without modifying their structure.

Are there any performance considerations I should be aware of?

Yes, composite patterns can lead to more complex structures, which might affect performance. Decorators can add overhead due to multiple layers of wrapping.