Java Design Patterns: Why and When You Should Use Them
In software development, there are 4 laws the are to provide correct, fast, and most importantly fairly easy-to-maintain code. As the systems grow in size, the developer is faced with traditional issues of object instantiation, object behavior, and extension. Several issues affected the SW engineers right from the early stages of software development thus giving rise to reused solutions. Such solutions are referred to as design patterns.
The identified patterns are employed, especially for addressing generic design problems, and they are incorporated in object-oriented scripting languages including the Java language. Some of the issues that will be covered in this blog are; what is Java design pattern, why should I use design patterns and when should I start using them in my development projects.
What Are Java Design Patterns?
A design pattern is a standard form by which issues frequently met in software construction are solved. Anti-patterns are not pre-fabricated program code fragments but a set of recommendations on how to solve particular problems at the stage of designing object-oriented systems. They give normal references and paradigms that can help developers convey solutions without much difficulty.
In Java, design patterns are typically divided into three main categories:
Creational Patterns – Concerns with what might be the best way of creating objects in order to fit a particular context.
Examples: There are seven: Singleton, Factory Method, Abstract Factory, Builder, Prototype.
Formation Relations – Concern with the organization of classes and object, how objects are composed in a manner that is more efficient and pliable.
Examples: Adapter, Facade, Decorator, Proxy, Composite.
Behavioral Patterns – Treats the relationship and involvement between objects with regard to how they work and whom they report.
Examples: Observer, Strategy, Command, State, Template Method, Iterator.
Why You Should Use Java Design Patterns
There are number of potential advantages that make the usage of design patterns useful for developers in the creation of quality, flexible and easy to support software products. Here are some reasons why you should consider using design patterns in your Java applications:
1. Promote Code Reusability
The term design patterns can be broadly defined as usable solutions that enable a programmer to forgo coming up with solutions from scratch. For instance, if you want to create a system that has a single instance of a class throughout the entire application, the Singleton Pattern guarantees that a single instance of that class is created, and this instance is utilized repeatedly. Thus, patterns introduce the usage of real-life strategies with which developers do not have to build from scratch as it takes up a lot of time and energy.
2. Improve Maintainability
With the increase in size of software systems comes some serious problems such as managing and maintaining the systems. The patterns in design make it easier to implement components that are relatively independent of each other to allow for easy modification or new features integration. For instance, the so called Strategy Pattern allows swapping of an algorithm or a behavior while the client code stays the same. This makes it easier to work on the software, as well as making it easier to scale the software as necessary.
3. Encourage Simplicity and Consistency
When developers are using already established design patterns, it allows others (or whoever will follow the developer in the project) to read the code more easily. Design patterns have established terminology and structure, so the readability becomes better. For example: Facade Pattern greatly simplifies the complex subsystems by giving a simple interface, whereby even new members or collaborators quickly learn the system in totality.
4. Improvement of Scalability and Flexibility
Design principles help in building applications that are scalable and flexible. Using patterns such as the Factory Method or Abstract Factory helps in separating the things from object creation from usage, which makes the destiny to be changed or even enhanced with the modified requirements. Like flexibility, in systems that would evolve.
5. To Keep on Communicating Better
With design patterns, getting the point across seems a lot easier in a team project from the domain of course. Instead of saying long-winded solution solutions with imaginatively constructed sentences, developers simply name drop: "We will be using the Observer Pattern for event handling". Such words instantly communicate the design decision, making it easy for anyone included to understand them.
When Should You Use Java Design Patterns?
Though not something that should get applied indiscreetly, design patterns are indispensable tools. It's very important to come to a comprehension of when (and when not) to use design patterns in your design process. This instance might call for the employment of design patterns:
1. Repetitiveness of the Problem You Get
When a certain problem recurs over and over again during the process of development, there is likely a pattern for dealing with that very problem. For instance, the Singleton Pattern is a very good example of a design pattern that ensures the existence of one instance of a class in the whole application. So, when you notice the issues reoccurring, you must look for those design patterns which solve the problems in the standardized way.
2. If Your Software Becomes Big
The process of expanding software scope these days mandates design that is modular and maintainable, both of which can be conceptualized by the Observer or Decorator patterns. Allowing each part of the system to evolve independently of other parts permits one to scale new heights in minimum effort without affecting the preexisting functionalities.
3. When you need to design a more extensible code
Design patterns are also great for taking care of changes, as future versions or the incorporation of new features can simply be patched by adding a higher-level concept in your program. For example, the Strategy Pattern grows the switch behavior inside a class primarily through changing the algorithm implemented by that class. Consequently, you can incline toward growing the applications even from perspective of change without rewriting a former large portion of code.
4. When You Want to Achieve the Optimum Performance
Mentioned design patterns ensure considerable enhancement in performance in managing resources opt. Some of the design patterns are intended to explicitly bring about better performance in aspects of resource management. For example, Flyweight Pattern stands for creating new objects by sharing the same data contained within other objects. Likewise, Prototype Pattern can create objects by copying objects of the same kind, rather than building them up using constructors from scratch. These patterns are meant to enhance performance for resource hungry applications.
5. The Just-in-case principle
An application may not have room for a strategy pattern, and you are therefore forced to fancy up the ‘switch-case’ construct.
6. Situations Where Dynamic Typing is Necessary within Static Typing
When one is aware of all the elements that he or she wants from the component, converting a generic type into a particular type needed by dynamic typing can be done. This string will now be used for formatting instead.
7. What Is Reactive Design Essential For?
Client Requirements: If you want clients that respond to events and want frameworks that are capable of both immediate changes and scalability, this is the pattern you should use. Providing enhancements incrementally to themselves, they integrate all the renowned components-if it may be on the server and client-side and ensures that the design is uniform, competes with its competitors, and does not suffer the properties of the resolution bars in the existing and upcoming shortcomings, exploiting a perfect example in the automotive industry.
Common Java Design Patterns and When to Use Them
What follows is a short account about some famous design patterns in Java and when they should be employed.
Singleton Pattern: If you need just one class, let’s say, it will be conveniently available at the global level.
Factory Method Pattern: You may make use of this model to set objects and to this end, separate the creation of an object from the client class.
Observer Pattern: If you want an object to inform other objects that it has made changes to its state.
Decorator Pattern: You can add variable functionality to a given object without modifying the structure of it.
Strategy Pattern: Use it where you can dynamically chose between algorithms at runtime with regards to the case.
Facade Pattern: You may choice of this design when you want a very simple, very simplified interface to a large subsystem.
Why Softronix?
Joining Softronix means great career growth prospects-through industry relevant training, mentors and job brands. Strongly anchored in its curriculum to meet the requirements of the best technology companies, Softronix is set to provide up-to-date skills and knowledge that are able to meet the quick processing process of any job. The company also boasts of the best networks in the industry providing excellent placement rates. Its personalized career counseling is an eye-opener to any individual employer. Get to jumpstart your career or polish what you already have; Softronix can lead you to the right ways towards success.
Conclusion
Java design patterns are powerful tools that can make the developer build the daily design more efficient. The purpose that through its usage of it, the code was written to be flexible, maintainable, and scalable. Design patterns can assure software development is in good stead of the principle upon which it builds its structure for future extension or modification.
However, this should be done wisely. These should be used only when they help solve particular problems or provide some advantages such as code reusability, flexibility, and simplicity. As far as becoming a more effectual and efficient Java developer is concerned, recognizing the problem space that would benefit from a design pattern and the exact business use case in which the design pattern has to be applied should be addressed. This lets you find out what would be commonly used in patterns, and you can apply it in the context of your needs.
Through them, one can of design patterns help build very robust and high-quality Java applications that might work until the end of time. For more information, connect with Softronix!
0 comments