Description: The bridge pattern is a structural design pattern used to decouple an abstraction from its implementation, allowing both to evolve independently. This pattern is based on the idea that instead of having a class hierarchy that extends to include different implementations, an interface is created that acts as a bridge between the abstraction and its implementation. This provides greater flexibility and scalability, as new implementations can be added without modifying the existing code of the abstraction. The main features of the bridge pattern include the separation of interface and implementation, the ability to change implementation at runtime, and the reduction of code complexity by avoiding the proliferation of subclasses. This pattern is especially relevant in systems where implementations are expected to change frequently or where high cohesion and low coupling between components are required. In summary, the bridge pattern is a powerful tool in software design that promotes flexibility and maintainability.
History: The bridge pattern was introduced in the book ‘Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software’ by Erich Gamma, Richard Helm, Ralph Johnson, and John Vlissides, published in 1994. This book, known as the ‘Gang of Four’ book, compiled and formalized many patterns that were already being used in object-oriented programming, and the bridge pattern was included as a solution to the need to decouple abstraction from its implementation.
Uses: The bridge pattern is used in situations where a clear separation between interface and implementation is required, such as in graphics systems where different types of shapes can be drawn using different rendering methods. It is also useful in applications that need to support multiple platforms or environments, allowing business logic to remain constant while specific implementations are changed.
Examples: A practical example of the bridge pattern is a multimedia device control system, where the user interface can interact with different types of devices (such as TVs, radios, or music players) without needing to know the details of their implementation. Another example is the use of different database connection methods in an application, where data access logic can be changed without affecting business logic.
