Double Dispatch vs Strategy Pattern

Developers should learn double dispatch when they need to handle interactions between objects of different types in a flexible, extensible way without resorting to type-checking or conditional logic meets developers should learn the strategy pattern when they need to manage multiple algorithms or behaviors that can be swapped dynamically, such as in payment processing systems with different payment methods, sorting algorithms, or compression techniques. Here's our take.

Double Dispatch

Nice Pick

Developers should learn double dispatch when they need to handle interactions between objects of different types in a flexible, extensible way without resorting to type-checking or conditional logic

Pros

• It is essential in scenarios like implementing visitor patterns, handling binary operations in expression trees, or managing collisions in physics engines where the behavior depends on both object types
• Related to: visitor-pattern, polymorphism

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

Strategy Pattern

Developers should learn the Strategy Pattern when they need to manage multiple algorithms or behaviors that can be swapped dynamically, such as in payment processing systems with different payment methods, sorting algorithms, or compression techniques

Pros

• It reduces code duplication, enhances testability by isolating algorithms, and adheres to the Open/Closed Principle, making systems easier to extend without modifying existing code
• Related to: design-patterns, object-oriented-programming

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

Use Double Dispatch if: You want it is essential in scenarios like implementing visitor patterns, handling binary operations in expression trees, or managing collisions in physics engines where the behavior depends on both object types and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.

Use Strategy Pattern if: You prioritize it reduces code duplication, enhances testability by isolating algorithms, and adheres to the open/closed principle, making systems easier to extend without modifying existing code over what Double Dispatch offers.

The Bottom Line

Double Dispatch wins

Developers should learn double dispatch when they need to handle interactions between objects of different types in a flexible, extensible way without resorting to type-checking or conditional logic