What is the observer pattern and where is it used in real life?

What is the observer pattern and where is it used in real life?

The observer pattern is a design pattern where an object, called the subject, maintains a list of dependents, called observers, and notifies them of state changes. It's commonly used in event handling systems.

Can you give me some real-world examples of the observer pattern?

Sure! One common example is in weather stations, where multiple displays (observers) update their information based on changes from a weather data source (subject). Another example is in social media notifications.

How does it differ from other design patterns?

Unlike the mediator pattern, which centralizes communication, the observer pattern allows for a more decentralized approach where observers can independently react to changes in the subject.

Are there any drawbacks to using the observer pattern?

Yes, one drawback is that it can lead to memory leaks if observers are not properly removed when they are no longer needed. Additionally, it can create tight coupling between the subject and observers.