Factory Functions
Factory functions are functions that return new objects, encapsulating object creation logic and often providing a way to create instances with private state or shared methods. They are a design pattern in programming, particularly in JavaScript and other object-oriented languages, used to create objects without explicitly using the 'new' keyword or constructor functions. This pattern promotes code reusability, flexibility, and can help manage object creation in a more controlled manner.
Developers should learn factory functions when they need to create multiple similar objects with encapsulated logic, such as in scenarios involving configuration objects, data models, or when implementing the module pattern for privacy. They are especially useful in JavaScript for avoiding the pitfalls of 'this' binding in constructors and for creating objects with private variables, making code more maintainable and testable in applications like UI components or API clients.