What are some structural design patterns in C++ and Java?

What are some structural design patterns in C++ and Java?

Structural design patterns are design patterns that deal with object composition. They help ensure that if one part of a system changes, the entire system doesn't need to change. Common examples include Adapter, Composite, and Decorator patterns.

Can you explain the Adapter pattern with an example?

Sure! The Adapter pattern allows incompatible interfaces to work together. For example, if you have a class in Java that expects a specific interface, but you want to use a class from C++ that doesn't implement that interface, you can create an adapter class that implements the expected interface and wraps the C++ class.

What about the Decorator pattern?

The Decorator pattern allows behavior to be added to individual objects, either statically or dynamically, without affecting the behavior of other objects from the same class. For instance, in a Java application, you could have a base class for a coffee drink and then create decorators for adding milk, sugar, or whipped cream.

How do these patterns improve code maintainability?

These patterns promote code reusability and flexibility. By using composition over inheritance, you can change the behavior of objects at runtime and avoid tightly coupled code, making it easier to maintain and extend.