What is the observer pattern in software design?

What is the observer pattern in software design?

The observer pattern is a behavioral design pattern where an object, called the subject, maintains a list of its dependents, called observers, and notifies them of state changes.

Can you give me an example of how it works?

Sure! Imagine a weather station (subject) that updates temperature data. Multiple displays (observers) show this data. When the weather station updates, it notifies all displays to refresh their information.

What are the benefits of using the observer pattern?

The observer pattern promotes loose coupling, allowing observers to be added or removed without modifying the subject. It also facilitates real-time updates.

Are there any drawbacks to using this pattern?

Yes, one drawback is that if there are too many observers, it can lead to performance issues. Additionally, managing the lifecycle of observers can become complex.