What is the difference between the Observer pattern and other design patterns?

What is the difference between the Observer pattern and other design patterns?

The Observer 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. This differs from other patterns like Singleton, which restricts a class to a single instance, or Factory, which deals with object creation.

Can you give me an example of the Observer pattern in action?

Sure! A common example is a weather station that updates multiple display screens. When the weather data changes, all display screens (observers) are notified and updated with the new data.

How does the Observer pattern compare to the Strategy pattern?

The Observer pattern focuses on notifying multiple observers about changes in state, while the Strategy pattern defines a family of algorithms, encapsulates each one, and makes them interchangeable. The Strategy pattern is about selecting an algorithm at runtime, whereas the Observer pattern is about maintaining consistency across multiple objects.

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, making the system harder to understand.