--- layout: pattern title: Factory Method folder: factory-method permalink: /patterns/factory-method/ categories: Creational tags: - Java - Difficulty-Beginner --- **Intent:** Define an interface for creating an object, but let subclasses decide which class to instantiate. Factory Method lets a class defer instantiation to subclasses. ![alt text](./etc/factory-method_1.png "Factory Method") **Applicability:** Use the Factory Method pattern when * a class can't anticipate the class of objects it must create * a class wants its subclasses to specify the objects it creates * classes delegate responsibility to one of several helper subclasses, and you want to localize the knowledge of which helper subclass is the delegate