Facade Design Pattern

For this week’s blog post I will be looking at another design pattern, this time called Façade. This time once again from the handy site of SourceMaking.com. The overall intent of the design pattern is to provide a unified interface to a set of interfaces in a subsystem. It defines a higher-level interface that makes the subsystem easier to use, wrapping a complicated subsystem with a simpler interface. The problem that faces it is a segment of the client community needs a simplified interface to the overall functionality of a complex subsystem. Essentially façade discusses encapsulating a complex subsystem within a single interface object, thus reducing the learning curve necessary to successfully leverage the subsystem. The only access point for the subsystem will limit the features and flexibility that power users may need. The façade object should be a fairly simple facilitator. “Façade takes a “riddle wrapped in an enigma shrouded in mystery” and injects a wrapper that tames the amorphous and inscrutable mass of software.” With the quote from the site above the name really comes into play here. A good example of this would be something like that of a catalog. Where the consumer calls one number from the catalog and speaks with costumer service. The customer service representative acts as a façade, providing an interface to the order fulfillment department, the billing department and then the shipping department. Façade defines a new interface where in the Adapter design pattern it uses an old interface. The site/article then goes on to explain some general rules of thumb that can prove useful to those wanting to learn more or follow the design pattern even more. All and all the site is an excellent resource for anyone looking to learn more about design patterns and more with this article proving that with valuable information on a new design pattern I have not seen or used before.