What are the differences between decorator patterns and strategy patterns?

What are the differences between decorator patterns and strategy patterns?

Decorator patterns allow behavior to be added to individual objects dynamically, while strategy patterns define a family of algorithms and make them interchangeable.

Can you give me an example of each pattern?

Sure! For the decorator pattern, think of a coffee shop where you can add milk or sugar to your coffee. For the strategy pattern, consider a navigation app that can switch between different routing algorithms like fastest or shortest.

When should I use one pattern over the other?

Use the decorator pattern when you want to add responsibilities to objects without modifying their structure. Use the strategy pattern when you need to switch between different algorithms or behaviors.

Are there any drawbacks to using these patterns?

Yes, decorator patterns can lead to a complex structure with many small classes, while strategy patterns can make it harder to understand the flow if too many strategies are introduced.