What are some real-world use cases for the decorator pattern?

What are some real-world use cases for the decorator pattern?

The decorator pattern is used to add new functionality to objects without altering their structure. Common use cases include adding features to UI components, enhancing data streams, and modifying behavior in logging or notification systems.

Can you give me an example of how it's used in a UI component?

Sure! In a graphical user interface, you might have a basic window component. Using the decorator pattern, you can create decorators to add features like borders, scroll bars, or shadows without changing the original window class.

What about in data processing?

In data processing, you can use decorators to add functionalities like compression, encryption, or validation to data streams. Each decorator can wrap the original data stream, enhancing its capabilities.

Are there any downsides to using the decorator pattern?

Yes, while the decorator pattern is flexible, it can lead to a complex system of decorators that may be hard to manage. Additionally, it can introduce performance overhead due to the multiple layers of wrapping.