Analysis

Compare patterns

Evaluate design patterns side by side across intent, tradeoffs, languages, and integration fit.

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Analysis

Pattern comparison

Reviewing 3 patterns.

Criteria
structuralAdapterView pattern
behavioralStrategyView pattern
behavioralVisitorView pattern
Basics
Categorystructuralbehavioralbehavioral
SummaryConvert the interface of a class or module into another interface clients expect.——
IntentAllow incompatible interfaces to work together without changing the consuming code.Encapsulate a family of algorithms or behaviors behind a common contract so they can be selected and swapped cleanly.Separate an algorithm from the object structure it operates on by moving behavior into visitor objects.
Decision factors
ProblemA client needs to talk to a legacy class or external service whose interface does not match the rest of the codebase.A system needs to switch between interchangeable behaviors without hardcoding branching logic everywhere.You need to perform operations across a set of different object types without stuffing all the logic into the objects themselves.
Tradeoffs
  • Adds an extra layer of indirection.
  • Can hide useful vendor-specific capabilities if overused.
  • Keeps integration code isolated from core domain logic.
  • Adds more moving parts than a direct conditional approach
  • Works best when behavior variations are real and likely to grow
  • Requires updating the visitor interface when new element types are added
  • Can be awkward if the object structure changes often
Practical fit
Languages
  • typescript
  • java
  • python
  • go
  • csharp
  • dotnet
  • react
  • angular
  • react-native
  • typescript
  • java
  • python
  • angular
  • react
  • react-native
  • csharp
  • dotnet
  • typescript
  • java
  • python
  • angular
  • react
  • react-native
  • csharp
  • dotnet
Platforms
  • applications
  • apis
  • service layers
  • integrations
  • Web
  • Backend
  • Services
  • Web
  • Backend
  • Mobile
  • UI kits
  • Cross-platform systems
Integration notesAdapters are useful when exposing a stable boundary over a legacy API, vendor SDK, or payload format mismatch.Strategies can cross codebases through shared contracts, API selection rules, or runtime configuration.Visitor is useful for AST processing, reporting, cart calculations, and exporting object structures to alternate formats.