Simplifying the Abstract Factory and Factory Design Patterns

The goal of this research paper is to make a clear and simple distinction between the factory and the abstract factory patterns. As a result of the similarities between these two patterns, understanding the unique and appropriate design requirement that calls for the application of each of these patterns has been a challenge to inexperience object oriented programming (OOP) programmers, as well as experienced OOP programmers that are new to the idea of design patterns in functional software development. Our objective in this research paper is to clarify the meaning as well as the usage of these two very important design patterns, in a manner that would make sense to new comers in the design pattern arena. We commence by giving a descriptive definition of both patterns followed by a more specific definition of the patterns in line with OOP concepts. Following the definition, is an illustration of each of the design pattern in simple diagrammatic form. Furthermore, we have made an effort to help the new comers to design patterns to quickly and easily identify scenarios and problems definitions where the adoption of each of the design pattern is necessary and appropriate. We have also attempted to ensure that, new comers, on identifying the need to apply either the factory or the abstract factory pattern in the solution to a problem, should also match these requirements with the core OOP concepts of encapsulation, inheritance and polymorphism