With this pattern instead of calling the class constructur instead use a static factory method with all of the required parameters and gets a builder object. Then calls setter-like methods on the builder object to set each optional parameter of interest. Finally, calls a parameterless buildmethod to generate the object, which is typically immutable.
public class NutritionFacts {
private final int servingSize;
private final int servings;
private final int calories;
private final int fat;
private final int sodium;
private final int carbohydrate;
public static class Builder {
// Required parameters
private final int servingSize;
private final int servings;
// Optional parameters - initialized to default values
private int calories = 0;
private int fat = 0;
private int sodium = 0;
private int carbohydrate = 0;
public Builder(int servingSize, int servings) {
this.servingSize = servingSize;
this.servings = servings;
}
public Builder calories(int val){
calories = val;
return this;
}
public Builder fat(int val){
fat = val;
return this;
}
public Builder sodium(int val){
sodium = val;
return this;
}
public Builder carbohydrate(int val) {
carbohydrate = val;
return this;
}
public NutritionFacts build() {
return new NutritionFacts(this);
}
}
private NutritionFacts(Builder builder) {
servingSize = builder.servingSize;
servings = builder.servings;
calories =builder.calories;
fat = builder.fat;
sodium = builder.sodium;
carbohydrate = builder.carbohydrate;
}
}
This client code is easy to write and, more importantly, easy to read. The Builder pattern simulates named optional parameters as found in Python
NutritionFacts cocaCola = new NutritionFacts.Builder(240, 8) .calories(100).sodium(35).carbohydrate(27).build();
Jaziel Lopez, Software Engineer, TJ Area, BC. MX