Builder pattern separates the construction of complex object from its representation, so that the same construction process can create different representations.
Motivation
Consider an application which contains a complex object, with many specifications. Some of these specifications are optional and some mandatory. Keeping the different implementations of the construction process within the object will make the it less modular. And adding a new implementation requires change in the existing code-base.
The Builder pattern solves this problem by moving the object construction logic out of the object and into a builder class.
Applicability
The Builder pattern can be used in cases where:
- Construction of an object must enable different representations of the object
- Telescopic Constructor are to be avoided
Structure
Participants
- Builder: Abstract interface for creating parts of Product object
- ConcreteBuilder: Construct, assemble parts of Product
- Director: Construct object using Builder
- Product: Representation of the complex object under construction
Collaborations
-
Director
is configured with aBuilder
object - One way communication between
Director
andBuilder
. -
Director
notifiesBuilder
which part should be built, thenBuilder
handles the request.
Advantages
- isolates code for construction and representation
- help avoid telescopic constructor
- more control over the construction process
Disadvantages
- Increased complexity in code due to increase in new interfaces and classes
Implementation
In most cases one builder instance is enough so builders are implemented as singletons.
Demo
There are different variety of cakes served at the cafe. Even though all of them are cakes, they all have different ingredients. The owners want an optimized way of making the cakes, that will save the chef's time and also easily add new cake types to the menu in the future.
To solve this problem, we create a Cake
class with all the required attributes. Then we create an abstract CakeBuilder
class, which has abstract methods for building each component of the cake. We then extend this class to make concrete classes for the different variety of cakes. Lastly, we create a Chef
class that will use one of this concrete classes to make the cake and return the created object.
Top comments (1)
One more advantage of using builder pattern over classic setters is that it provides immutability!