What are some real-world examples of factory patterns?

What are some real-world examples of factory patterns?

Factory patterns are design patterns that provide a way to create objects without specifying the exact class of the object. A common example is the use of a 'VehicleFactory' that can create different types of vehicles like cars, trucks, or bikes based on input parameters.

Can you give me more specific examples?

Sure! In the automotive industry, a 'CarFactory' might produce different models of cars based on user preferences. In software, a 'ShapeFactory' can create different shapes like circles or squares depending on the input.

How does the factory pattern improve code maintainability?

The factory pattern improves maintainability by centralizing object creation, making it easier to manage changes. If a new vehicle type is added, only the factory needs to be updated, not every part of the code that creates vehicles.

Are there any downsides to using factory patterns?

Yes, one downside is that it can introduce additional complexity to the codebase. Overusing factory patterns can lead to unnecessary abstraction, making the code harder to understand.