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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Basics | |||
| Category | behavioral | behavioral | behavioral |
| Summary | — | — | — |
| Intent | Represent grammar rules as objects and interpret sentences by evaluating an abstract syntax tree or expression chain. | Capture and externalize an object's state so it can be restored to a previous point in time. | Allow an object to alter its behavior when its internal state changes by delegating state-specific behavior to separate state objects. |
| Decision factors | |||
| Problem | You need to define a small language or expression grammar and evaluate it consistently across the application. | An object's internal state must be saved and restored later without exposing its implementation details. | An object behaves differently depending on its internal state, and conditional logic is becoming hard to manage. |
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| Practical fit | |||
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| Integration notes | Interpreter is useful for calculators, rule engines, simple DSLs, and command parsing systems where a structured grammar must be evaluated. | Memento is useful for undo/redo, checkpoints, draft recovery, and any workflow where state history matters. | State is useful for workflows, media players, order lifecycles, and any domain where behavior changes as the object moves through a lifecycle. |