Thursday, 17 May 2007

Article: Basics of Using the Prototype Pattern with PHP 5

Alejandro Gervasio in a two part series demonstrates the basic functionality provided by the prototype pattern with PHP 5. He adds that the prototype class lets you use many instances of a specific class, without copying objects to different variables.

In plain terms, he explains that when the prototype pattern is applied, the first instance of a class is used as a prototype model, and all the other instances of the class in question are created by cloning the mentioned prototype object. He gives the following steps to understand the tutorial in a better way:

• Implementing the prototype pattern: to demonstrate how the prototype pattern works , he defines a bunch of sample classes for establishing the basic structure of different types of data. Then, using these classes, he shows you how to create multiple instances of a specific class with the prototype pattern.

• Creating an additional prototype class: he creates an additional protype class by deriving it from the base 'DataPrototype’.
• Testing the prototype pattern: he gives an example that illustrates how multiple instances of a prototype object can be created during the execution of a specific script.