layout	title	folder	permalink	categories	tags
pattern	Factory Method	factory-method	/patterns/factory-method/	Creational	Java Difficulty-Beginner Gang Of Four

Also known as

Virtual Constructor

Intent

Define an interface for creating an object, but let subclasses decide which class to instantiate. Factory Method lets a class defer instantiation to subclasses.

Applicability

Use the Factory Method pattern when

• a class can't anticipate the class of objects it must create
• a class wants its subclasses to specify the objects it creates
• classes delegate responsibility to one of several helper subclasses, and you want to localize the knowledge of which helper subclass is the delegate

Credits

• Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software