What is the Observer design pattern in Java?

What is the Observer design pattern in Java?

The Observer design pattern is a behavioral design pattern that defines a one-to-many dependency between objects. When one object changes state, all its dependents are notified and updated automatically.

Can you give me an example of how to implement it?

Sure! In Java, you can create an interface called 'Observer' and another called 'Subject'. The 'Subject' maintains a list of observers and notifies them of any state changes.

What are some real-world applications of the Observer pattern?

Real-world applications include event handling systems, like GUI frameworks, and any scenario where a change in one object should trigger updates in others, such as stock price updates.

Are there any drawbacks to using the Observer pattern?

Yes, some drawbacks include potential memory leaks if observers are not properly removed and the difficulty in managing complex dependencies.