1. What is the Factory Method Pattern

The Factory Method Pattern is a creational design pattern that provides a way to encapsulate the object creation process in subclasses. In this way, the client can create objects by calling the factory method without worrying about the specific object creation process.

2. Characteristics and Advantages of the Factory Method Pattern

The characteristics of the Factory Method Pattern include:

  • Decoupling the creation and use of objects, where the client only needs to care about the factory method and the abstract product interface.
  • The system can be expanded by adding new specific factory classes and specific product classes, conforming to the Open/Closed Principle.

The advantages of the Factory Method Pattern include:

  • Encapsulating the object creation process, making the system more flexible and extensible.
  • Hiding the implementation details of specific product classes, reducing the client's dependency and coupling to specific classes.
  • Providing a standardized way of creating products, facilitating system maintenance and expansion.

3. Application Scenarios of the Factory Method Pattern

The Factory Method Pattern is suitable for the following scenarios:

  • The client does not depend on specific product classes, but depends on the abstract product interface.
  • The client needs to dynamically create different product objects based on different conditions.
  • The need to encapsulate and hide the product object creation process.

4. Implementation of the Factory Method Pattern in Golang

4.1 UML Class Diagram

Golang Factory Method Pattern

4.2 Implementation Step 1: Define the Abstract Product Interface

package factory

// Product is the abstract product interface
type Product interface {
	Operation() string
}

4.3 Implementation Step 2: Create Concrete Product Implementation Classes

package factory

// ConcreteProductA is the concrete product class A
type ConcreteProductA struct{}

// Operation is the method of concrete product A class
func (p *ConcreteProductA) Operation() string {
	return "ConcreteProductA"
}

// ConcreteProductB is the concrete product class B
type ConcreteProductB struct{}

// Operation is the method of concrete product B class
func (p *ConcreteProductB) Operation() string {
	return "ConcreteProductB"
}

4.4 Implementation Step 3: Define the Abstract Factory Interface

package factory

// Factory is the abstract factory interface
type Factory interface {
	CreateProduct() Product
}

4.5 Implementation Step 4: Create Concrete Factory Implementation Classes

package factory

// ConcreteFactoryA is the concrete factory class A
type ConcreteFactoryA struct{}

// CreateProduct is the method of concrete factory A class
func (f *ConcreteFactoryA) CreateProduct() Product {
	return &ConcreteProductA{}
}

// ConcreteFactoryB is the concrete factory class B
type ConcreteFactoryB struct{}

// CreateProduct is the method of concrete factory B class
func (f *ConcreteFactoryB) CreateProduct() Product {
	return &ConcreteProductB{}
}

4.6 Implementation Step 5: Client Invokes the Factory Method to Create Product Objects

package main

import (
	"fmt"
	"github.com/your/package/factory"
)

func main() {
	// Create Concrete Factory A
	factoryA := &factory.ConcreteFactoryA{}
	// Invoke the factory method to create product objects
	productA := factoryA.CreateProduct()
	fmt.Println(productA.Operation())

	// Create Concrete Factory B
	factoryB := &factory.ConcreteFactoryB{}
	// Invoke the factory method to create product objects
	productB := factoryB.CreateProduct()
	fmt.Println(productB.Operation())
}

In the above code, we define the abstract product interface Product and concrete product classes ConcreteProductA and ConcreteProductB. Then, we define the abstract factory interface Factory and concrete factory classes ConcreteFactoryA and ConcreteFactoryB. The client can create specific product objects by invoking the factory method of the concrete factory class, thus implementing the Factory Method pattern.

With the above steps, we have completed the implementation of the Factory Method pattern in Golang. This approach decouples the client from the specific product classes, allowing the client to focus only on the abstract product interface. Meanwhile, the implementation details of specific product classes are encapsulated in the concrete factory class, making the system more flexible and extensible. The Factory Method pattern is very common in practical applications, especially in scenarios where dynamic creation of different types of objects is needed, effectively improving code reusability and maintainability.