Prototype Pattern

Purpose

• Create objects based upon a template of an existing objects through cloning.

 

Use When

• Composition, creation, and representation of objects should be decoupled from a system.
• Classes to be created are specified at runtime.
• Objects or object structures are required that are identical or closely resemble other existing objects or object structures.
• The initial creation of each object is an expensive operation.
• When to avoid building a class hierarchy of factories that parallels the class hierarchy of products.