What are the differences between the Strategy and other design patterns in Python?

Can you explain the Strategy design pattern in Python?

Sure! The Strategy pattern allows you to define a family of algorithms, encapsulate each one, and make them interchangeable. It lets the algorithm vary independently from clients that use it.

How does it compare to the Observer pattern?

The Observer pattern is about notifying multiple observers about changes in a subject, while the Strategy pattern focuses on selecting an algorithm at runtime. They serve different purposes.

Can you give me a code example of the Strategy pattern?

Absolutely! Here's a simple example:

class Strategy:
    def execute(self, data):
        pass

class ConcreteStrategyA(Strategy):
    def execute(self, data):
        return data + 1

class ConcreteStrategyB(Strategy):
    def execute(self, data):
        return data * 2

class Context:
    def __init__(self, strategy: Strategy):
        self.strategy = strategy

    def set_strategy(self, strategy: Strategy):
        self.strategy = strategy

    def execute_strategy(self, data):
        return self.strategy.execute(data)

context = Context(ConcreteStrategyA())
print(context.execute_strategy(5))  # Outputs: 6
context.set_strategy(ConcreteStrategyB())
print(context.execute_strategy(5))  # Outputs: 10

This demonstrates how to switch strategies at runtime.

What are some other design patterns I should know about?

Some other important design patterns include Singleton, Factory, and Decorator patterns. Each serves different design needs.