The simple way to instantiate an object in Java is through of constructors, but we can do this whit a static factory method, the static factory methods are methods for create objects.
Example:
public static Boolean valueOf(boolean b){
return b ? Boolean.TRUE : Boolean.FALSE;
}
Advantages:
-We can write whatever name to the method, a diference to constructors we should name it with the same name of the class. This permits write clearer names, names more descriptives a diference to overwrite any numbers of constructors.
-Static factory methods aren't required to create a new object each time they're invoked. This useful when we need control the number of instances also allow use Singleton objects.
-We can return an object of any subtype of their return type. That's give you great flexibility, inclusive you can return a subtype objects without public constructor.
-The static factory methods reduce the verbosity of creating parameterized type instances.
Disadvantages:
-The classes without public or protected constructors can't be subclassed. That's isn't good certainly but you can suggest composition instead of inheritance.
-You can't distinguish static factory methods from other static methods. But you can use some common names for static factory methods:
- valueOf
- of
- getInstance
- newInstance
- getType
- newType
