Incorporating JavaScript design patterns into any JavaScript application is considered a best practice, particularly when collaborating with other developers or building in an enterprise environment. Many developers will interact with JavaScript design patterns so frequently that they don’t even notice they are there.
Is JavaScript Used for Design?
No, JavaScript is a text-based programming language and not used in graphic, web or UX design. JavaScript design patterns and traditional forms of design are very different. Although traditional design involves the manipulation of images and layouts for various purposes, JavaScript design patterns refer to patterns of code that developers use to streamline development.
What Are Common JavaScript Design Patterns?
Common design patterns in JavaScript include:
- Module design patterns incorporate features developers use to keep pieces of code independent from other components, thereby providing a form of loose coupling.
- Observer design patterns trigger an event that notifies other components when part of an application changes.
- Prototype models create objects in performance-intensive situations.
- Singleton design patterns restrict the instantiation of a class, or the creation of context based on a model, to a single instance. This becomes useful when precisely one model is needed to direct actions throughout a system. It is excellent for using resources shared by multiple clients.
What Are the Gang of Four (GoF) JavaScript Design Patterns?
- Abstract Factory
- Builder
- Factory Method
- Prototype
- Singleton
- Adapter
- Bridge
- Composite
- Decorator
- Facade
- Flyweight
- Proxy
- Chain of Responsibility
- Command
- Interpreter
- Iterator
- Mediator
- Memento
- Observer
- State
- Strategy
- Template Method
- Visitor
What Are the 23 JavaScript Design Patterns?
There are 23 fundamental design patterns developers can apply in JavaScript. These 23 patterns, known as the Gang of Four (GoF) and considered to be the foundation for all other patterns, can be broken down into three categories: creational patterns, structural patterns and behavioral patterns.
- Creational patterns include Abstract Factory, Builder, Factory Method, Prototype and Singleton.
- Structural Patterns consist of Adapter, Bridge, Composite, Decorator, Facade, Flyweight and Proxy.
- Behavioral Patterns, the largest category, feature Chain of Responsibility, Command, Interpreter, Iterator, Mediator, Memento, Observer, State, Strategy, Template Method and Visitor.
