Analysis
Compare patterns
Evaluate design patterns side by side across intent, tradeoffs, languages, and integration fit.
Choose patterns
Select up to 3 patterns
Current selection
3 of 3 selected
You can now review the differences across the comparison table below.
Analysis
Pattern comparison
Reviewing 3 patterns.
| Criteria | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Basics | |||
| Category | structural | behavioral | behavioral |
| Summary | Wrap an object with other objects that implement the same contract so responsibilities can be layered dynamically. | — | — |
| Intent | Wrap an object with other objects that implement the same contract so responsibilities can be layered dynamically. | Define an object that encapsulates communication between a set of objects, keeping them from referring to each other directly. | Encapsulate a family of algorithms or behaviors behind a common contract so they can be selected and swapped cleanly. |
| Decision factors | |||
| Problem | A system needs to add optional behaviors to an object without creating many subclasses for every feature combination. | Multiple objects need to coordinate behavior, but direct references between them create tight coupling and complex dependencies. | A system needs to switch between interchangeable behaviors without hardcoding branching logic everywhere. |
| Tradeoffs |
|
|
|
| Practical fit | |||
| Languages |
|
|
|
| Platforms |
|
|
|
| Integration notes | Decorators work well for cross-cutting concerns such as logging, retry, caching, compression, and telemetry because each layer keeps the same interface while adding one concern. | Mediator is useful for chat systems, form coordination, workflow orchestration, and any domain where many components must collaborate without knowing about each other. | Strategies can cross codebases through shared contracts, API selection rules, or runtime configuration. |