Field Notes: The Facade Pattern
Facades can be used not only to create a simpler interface in terms of method calls, but also to reduce the number of objects that a client object must deal with. For example, suppose I have a Client object that must deal with Databases, Models, and Elements. The Client must first open the Database and get a Model. Then it queries the Model to get an Element. Finally, it asks the Element for information. It might be a lot easier to create a DatabaseFacade that could be queried by the Client (see Figure 6-4).
Figure 6-4. Facade reduces the number of objects for the client.
Suppose that in addition to using functions that are in the system, I also need to provide some new functionality. In this case, I am going beyond a simple subset of the system.
In this case, the methods I write for the Facade class may be supplemented by new routines for the new functionality. This is still the Facade pattern, but expanded with new functionality.
The Facade pattern sets the general approach; it got me started. The Facade part of the pattern is the fact that I am creating a new interface for the client to use instead of the existing system's interface. I can do this because the Client object does not need to use all of the functions in my original system.
Patterns set a general approach.A pattern just sets the general approach. Whether or not to add new functions depends upon the situation at hand. Patterns are blueprints to get you started; they are not carved in stone. |
The Facade can also be used to hide, or encapsulate, the system. The Facade could contain the system as private members of the Facade class. In this case, the original system would be linked in with the Facade class, but not presented to users of the Facade class.
There are a number of reasons to encapsulate the system:
Track system usage— By forcing all accesses to the system to go through the Facade, I can easily monitor system usage.
Swap out systems— I may need to change out systems in the future. By making the original system a private member of the Facade class, I can switch out the system for a new one with minimal effort. There may still be a significant amount of effort required, but at least I will only have to change the code in one place (the Facade class).