What are the advantages of using the Singleton pattern in software design?

What are the advantages of using the Singleton pattern in software design?

The Singleton pattern ensures that a class has only one instance and provides a global point of access to it. This can be beneficial for managing shared resources.

Can you give me an example of where the Singleton pattern is useful?

Sure! A common example is a configuration manager that loads settings from a file. You want to ensure that all parts of your application use the same configuration instance.

Are there any downsides to using the Singleton pattern?

Yes, it can introduce global state into your application, making it harder to test and maintain. It can also lead to issues with concurrency if not handled properly.

How does the Singleton pattern compare to other design patterns?

The Singleton pattern is unique in that it restricts instantiation to one object, while other patterns like Factory or Builder focus on creating multiple instances or managing object creation.