What are the differences between constructor and factory methods?

What are the differences between constructor and factory methods?

Constructor methods are used to create instances of a class directly, while factory methods return instances of a class, often with more control over the instantiation process.

Can you give me an example of each?

Sure! A constructor method might look like this: class Car { constructor(model) { this.model = model; } }. A factory method could be: class CarFactory { static createCar(model) { return new Car(model); } }.

When should I use a factory method instead of a constructor?

Use a factory method when you need more flexibility in object creation, like returning different subclasses or managing shared resources.

Are there any downsides to using factory methods?

Yes, factory methods can add complexity to your code and may obscure the instantiation process, making it less clear how objects are created.