Factory object

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In object-oriented computer programming, a factory object is an object for creating other objects. It is an abstraction of a constructor, and can be used to implement various allocation schemes, such as the singleton pattern.

A factory object typically has a method for every kind of object it is capable of creating. These methods optionally accept parameters defining how the object is created, and then return the created object.

Factory objects are used in situations where getting hold of an object of a particular kind is a more complex process than simply creating a new object. The factory object might decide the created object's class (if applicable) dynamically, return it from an object pool, do complex configuration on the object, or other things.

Factory object

See also