An Integral Part Of Java Development - Composite Design Pattern

By Author: Dharmesh Aegis
Total Articles: 105
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When Java developers want to represent part-whole hierarchy, they can use tree structure to compose objects. A system ideally contains subsystems or components and these components can further be segregated into smaller components. Furthermore, smaller components can be dissected into small elements. This is how a part-whole hierarchy works.
Everything that surrounds us can be a member of part-whole hierarchy. A tree structure can be applied to anything and a fine example to understand this is a car, which is made up of engine, tyre etc, which are electrical components and these components are made up of chips, transistor etc. This means that a component is part of a whole system and this hierarchy can be depicted as a tree structure using the composite design pattern.
How Java developers can use part-whole hierarchy?
In order to completely understand how composite pattern functions, it is important that offshore Java developers conduct a real-world example of part-whole hierarchy. It wouldn’t be incorrect to say that creating a composite pattern, as part of Java development is quite ...
... similar to the game of building blocks. It is an extremely interesting way through which Java developers would be able to understand how the composite pattern works. For instance, the building block kit contains only three types of unique pieces and these can be referred to as primitive blocks, as they would make up the end notes in the tree structure.
The main objective is to make a house and obviously a step by step process has to be followed. The first step is to use primitive blocks to build multiple windows, walls, doors, floor and these can be referred to as structure. All these will undoubtedly be the main structure and these are further used to make a house. From this example it is easy to understand that primitive blocks when are used together provide a structure and multiple structures when assembled together create a house.
Important Points for Java Developers
The significance of composite pattern is that a group of objects need to be treated in a similar manner just is the case with a single object.
The second important point is that the manipulation of a single object should be alike manipulation of a group of objects.
It is important that Java developers also pay attention to tree structure and recursive formation for creating composite pattern.
Clients will be able to access the complete hierarchy through the components.
Tree for Composite
When there is a recursive structure in Java development, the most preferred choice for implementation is a tree. The part-whole hierarchy can be depicted as a tree in composite design pattern. Leaves or end notes of a tree are the primitive elements whereas the tree is the composite structure.
UML design for composite pattern that Java developers use
Component: (Structure)
Java developers are aware that component is found at the top of hierarchy
This component helps in declaring the interface for objects in composite pattern
The third aspect is that the component defines an interface that helps in accessing the component’s parent in the recursive structure.
Leaf: (Primitive Blocks)
The leaf is the end notes of the tree and does not have any child
The primitive blocks describes the behavior for single objects in the composite pattern
Composite: (Group)
This consists of child components and they help in identifying the behavior for them.
It also helps in implementing the child related operations in Java development
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