What is the difference between Factory Method and Abstract Factory?

Design PatternsMiddle~1 min read

Factory Method and Abstract Factory are both creational patterns, but they solve different problems in terms of scale and abstraction.

1. Level of the task

Factory Method - creates one object of a specific type, chosen by the subclass.
Abstract Factory - creates a whole family of related objects, ensuring their compatibility with each other.

Example:

Factory Method can create only a button (WindowsButton or MacButton).
Abstract Factory creates the whole group of interface elements (a button, a menu, a window) for a specific OS.

2. Structure

Factory Method is a single method that subclasses override.
Abstract Factory is an interface or class that contains a set of factory methods, one for each product in the family.

3. Relationship between them

Abstract Factory is often implemented using several Factory Methods internally. In other words, Abstract Factory is a layer on top that combines several factory methods.

4. Example

Factory Method:

java

abstract class Dialog {
    abstract Button createButton();
}

Abstract Factory:

java

interface GUIFactory {
    Button createButton();
    Checkbox createCheckbox();
}

5. Summary

Criterion	Factory Method	Abstract Factory
Scale	One product	Family of products
Implementation	Inheritance and method overriding	Combination of factory methods
Flexibility	Creating one type of object	Guaranteed compatibility between several objects
Example	`createTransport()` -> Truck	`createGUI()` -> Button + Checkbox

Conclusion: Factory Method answers "which exact object to create", Abstract Factory answers "which compatible objects to create together".

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What is the difference between Factory Method and Abstract Factory?

#1. Level of the task

#2. Structure

#3. Relationship between them

#4. Example

#5. Summary