Analysis

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Analysis

Pattern comparison

Reviewing 3 patterns.

Criteria
structuralAdapterView pattern
structuralBridgeView pattern
behavioralChain of ResponsibilityView pattern
Basics
Categorystructuralstructuralbehavioral
SummaryConvert the interface of a class or module into another interface clients expect.Separate an abstraction from its implementation so the two can vary independently.Pass a request through a sequence of handlers until one handles it or the chain ends.
IntentAllow incompatible interfaces to work together without changing the consuming code.Decouple abstractions from implementations so they can evolve independently.Pass requests along a chain of handlers until one of them handles the request or the request reaches the end of the chain.
Decision factors
ProblemA client needs to talk to a legacy class or external service whose interface does not match the rest of the codebase.When an abstraction is tightly coupled to its implementation, changing one side forces changes in the other and makes the system harder to evolve.A request must pass through multiple possible handlers, but the sender should not need to know which handler will process it.
Tradeoffs
  • Adds an extra layer of indirection.
  • Can hide useful vendor-specific capabilities if overused.
  • Keeps integration code isolated from core domain logic.
  • Adds an extra layer of indirection.
  • Can increase the number of moving parts.
  • Makes abstractions and implementations easier to evolve independently.
  • Requests can become harder to trace because control flows through multiple handlers.
  • A long chain may add overhead if many handlers are checked on every request.
  • It keeps handler logic isolated and easier to extend.
Practical fit
Languages
  • typescript
  • java
  • python
  • go
  • csharp
  • dotnet
  • react
  • angular
  • react-native
  • typescript
  • java
  • python
  • angular
  • react
  • react-native
  • csharp
  • dotnet
  • go
  • typescript
  • java
  • python
  • angular
  • react
  • react-native
  • csharp
  • dotnet
Platforms
  • applications
  • apis
  • service layers
  • integrations
  • web
  • backend
  • mobile
  • integration
  • ui
  • frontend
  • backend
  • integration
Integration notesAdapters are useful when exposing a stable boundary over a legacy API, vendor SDK, or payload format mismatch.Bridge is useful when you want one stable abstraction while swapping implementations for providers, environments, or device targets.Chain of Responsibility is useful for validation pipelines, support routing, approval flows, and any system where requests may be processed by different handlers in sequence.