What are the differences between the Observer and Strategy design patterns?

What are the differences between the Observer and Strategy design patterns?

The Observer pattern is used for a one-to-many dependency between objects, while the Strategy pattern defines a family of algorithms and makes them interchangeable.

Can you give me an example of each pattern?

Sure! In the Observer pattern, think of a weather station that notifies multiple displays when the weather changes. In the Strategy pattern, consider a navigation app that can switch between different routing algorithms.

When should I use one pattern over the other?

Use the Observer pattern when you need to notify multiple objects about changes in state. Use the Strategy pattern when you want to switch between different algorithms or behaviors at runtime.

Are there any drawbacks to using these patterns?

Yes, the Observer pattern can lead to tight coupling between the subject and observers, while the Strategy pattern can increase the number of classes in your codebase.