---
layout: pattern
title: Memento
folder: memento
permalink: /patterns/memento/
categories: Behavioral
tags:
 - Gang of Four
---

## Also known as
Token

## Intent
Without violating encapsulation, capture and externalize an object's internal state so that the object can be restored 
to this state later.

## Explanation
Real world example

> We are working on astrology application where we need to analyze star properties over time. We are creating snapshots of star state using Memento pattern.

In plain words

> Memento pattern captures object internal state making it easy to store and restore objects in any point of time.

Wikipedia says

> The memento pattern is a software design pattern that provides the ability to restore an object to its previous state (undo via rollback).

**Programmatic Example**

Let's first define the types of stars we are capable to handle.

```java
public enum StarType {

  SUN("sun"), RED_GIANT("red giant"), WHITE_DWARF("white dwarf"), SUPERNOVA("supernova"), DEAD(
      "dead star"), UNDEFINED("");

  private String title;

  StarType(String title) {
    this.title = title;
  }

  @Override
  public String toString() {
    return title;
  }
}
```

Next let's jump straight to the essentials. Here's the star class along with the mementos that we need manipulate. 

```java
public interface StarMemento {
}

public class Star {

  private StarType type;
  private int ageYears;
  private int massTons;

  public Star(StarType startType, int startAge, int startMass) {
    this.type = startType;
    this.ageYears = startAge;
    this.massTons = startMass;
  }

  public void timePasses() {
    ageYears *= 2;
    massTons *= 8;
    switch (type) {
      case RED_GIANT:
        type = StarType.WHITE_DWARF;
        break;
      case SUN:
        type = StarType.RED_GIANT;
        break;
      case SUPERNOVA:
        type = StarType.DEAD;
        break;
      case WHITE_DWARF:
        type = StarType.SUPERNOVA;
        break;
      case DEAD:
        ageYears *= 2;
        massTons = 0;
        break;
      default:
        break;
    }
  }

  StarMemento getMemento() {

    StarMementoInternal state = new StarMementoInternal();
    state.setAgeYears(ageYears);
    state.setMassTons(massTons);
    state.setType(type);
    return state;
  }

  void setMemento(StarMemento memento) {

    StarMementoInternal state = (StarMementoInternal) memento;
    this.type = state.getType();
    this.ageYears = state.getAgeYears();
    this.massTons = state.getMassTons();
  }

  @Override
  public String toString() {
    return String.format("%s age: %d years mass: %d tons", type.toString(), ageYears, massTons);
  }

  private static class StarMementoInternal implements StarMemento {

    private StarType type;
    private int ageYears;
    private int massTons;

    public StarType getType() {
      return type;
    }

    public void setType(StarType type) {
      this.type = type;
    }

    public int getAgeYears() {
      return ageYears;
    }

    public void setAgeYears(int ageYears) {
      this.ageYears = ageYears;
    }

    public int getMassTons() {
      return massTons;
    }

    public void setMassTons(int massTons) {
      this.massTons = massTons;
    }
  }
}
```

And finally here's how we use the mementos to store and restore star states.

```java
    Stack<StarMemento> states = new Stack<>();
    Star star = new Star(StarType.SUN, 10000000, 500000);
    LOGGER.info(star.toString());
    states.add(star.getMemento());
    star.timePasses();
    LOGGER.info(star.toString());
    states.add(star.getMemento());
    star.timePasses();
    LOGGER.info(star.toString());
    states.add(star.getMemento());
    star.timePasses();
    LOGGER.info(star.toString());
    states.add(star.getMemento());
    star.timePasses();
    LOGGER.info(star.toString());
    while (states.size() > 0) {
      star.setMemento(states.pop());
      LOGGER.info(star.toString());
    }
    
    // sun age: 10000000 years mass: 500000 tons
    // red giant age: 20000000 years mass: 4000000 tons
    // white dwarf age: 40000000 years mass: 32000000 tons
    // supernova age: 80000000 years mass: 256000000 tons
    // dead star age: 160000000 years mass: 2048000000 tons
    // supernova age: 80000000 years mass: 256000000 tons
    // white dwarf age: 40000000 years mass: 32000000 tons
    // red giant age: 20000000 years mass: 4000000 tons
    // sun age: 10000000 years mass: 500000 tons
```


## Class diagram
![alt text](./etc/memento.png "Memento")

## Applicability
Use the Memento pattern when

* a snapshot of an object's state must be saved so that it can be restored to that state later, and
* a direct interface to obtaining the state would expose implementation details and break the object's encapsulation

## Real world examples

* [java.util.Date](http://docs.oracle.com/javase/8/docs/api/java/util/Date.html)

## Credits

* [Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0201633612/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0201633612&linkCode=as2&tag=javadesignpat-20&linkId=675d49790ce11db99d90bde47f1aeb59)
* [Head First Design Patterns: A Brain-Friendly Guide](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0596007124/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0596007124&linkCode=as2&tag=javadesignpat-20&linkId=6b8b6eea86021af6c8e3cd3fc382cb5b)