What are the best practices for using the decorator pattern?

What are the best practices for using the decorator pattern?

The decorator pattern is great for adding functionality to objects dynamically. Best practices include keeping decorators focused on a single responsibility, ensuring they are reusable, and avoiding deep nesting of decorators.

Can you give an example of a good use case for the decorator pattern?

Sure! A common use case is in a graphical user interface where you might want to add features like borders or scrollbars to windows without modifying the original window class.

What should I avoid when implementing the decorator pattern?

Avoid creating too many layers of decorators, as it can lead to complex and hard-to-maintain code. Also, ensure that decorators do not alter the core behavior of the object they are decorating.

How does the decorator pattern compare to the strategy pattern?

The decorator pattern adds behavior to individual objects, while the strategy pattern defines a family of algorithms and makes them interchangeable. They serve different purposes but can sometimes be used together.