What are some examples of the factory method pattern?

What are some examples of the factory method pattern?

The factory method pattern is a creational design pattern that provides an interface for creating objects in a superclass, but allows subclasses to alter the type of objects that will be created. For example, in a game, you might have a CharacterFactory that creates different types of characters like Warrior or Mage.

Can you give me a code example?

Sure! Here's a simple example in Python:

class Character:
    def attack(self):
        pass

class Warrior(Character):
    def attack(self):
        return 'Warrior attacks!'

class Mage(Character):
    def attack(self):
        return 'Mage casts a spell!'

class CharacterFactory:
    def create_character(self, type):
        if type == 'warrior':
            return Warrior()
        elif type == 'mage':
            return Mage()
        return None

factory = CharacterFactory()
character = factory.create_character('warrior')
print(character.attack())  # Output: Warrior attacks!

What are the benefits of using this pattern?

The factory method pattern promotes loose coupling by eliminating the need to bind application-specific classes into your code. It also enhances code readability and maintainability by centralizing object creation.

Are there any drawbacks to this pattern?

Yes, one drawback is that it can lead to a proliferation of classes, as each type of product requires a corresponding factory method. This can make the codebase more complex.