What is the difference between the decorator pattern and the adapter pattern in Python?

What is the difference between the decorator pattern and the adapter pattern in Python?

The decorator pattern allows behavior to be added to individual objects, while the adapter pattern allows incompatible interfaces to work together.

Can you give me an example of the decorator pattern in Python?

Sure! Here's a simple example:

def decorator_function(original_function):
    def wrapper_function():
        print('Wrapper executed before {}'.format(original_function.__name__))
        return original_function()
    return wrapper_function

@decorator_function
def display():
    print('Display function executed')

display()

And what about the adapter pattern?

The adapter pattern can be illustrated with a class that adapts an interface to make it compatible with another. Here's an example:

class EuropeanPlug:
    def connect(self):
        return "Connected to European socket"

class USPlug:
    def connect(self):
        return "Connected to US socket"

class Adapter:
    def __init__(self, plug):
        self.plug = plug

    def connect(self):
        return self.plug.connect()

us_plug = USPlug()
adapter = Adapter(us_plug)
print(adapter.connect())

When should I use each pattern?

Use the decorator pattern when you want to add functionality to an object dynamically, and the adapter pattern when you need to make two incompatible interfaces work together.