Today we will look into Builder pattern in java. Builder design pattern is a creational design pattern like Factory Pattern and Abstract Factory Pattern.
Builder Design Pattern
Builder pattern was introduced to solve some of the problems with Factory and Abstract Factory design patterns when the Object contains a lot of attributes. There are three major issues with Factory and Abstract Factory design patterns when the Object contains a lot of attributes.
- Too Many arguments to pass from client program to the Factory class that can be error prone because most of the time, the type of arguments are same and from client side its hard to maintain the order of the argument.
- Some of the parameters might be optional but in Factory pattern, we are forced to send all the parameters and optional parameters need to send as NULL.
- If the object is heavy and its creation is complex, then all that complexity will be part of Factory classes that is confusing.
We can solve the issues with large number of parameters by providing a constructor with required parameters and then different setter methods to set the optional parameters. The problem with this approach is that the Object state will be inconsistent until unless all the attributes are set explicitly. Builder pattern solves the issue with large number of optional parameters and inconsistent state by providing a way to build the object step-by-step and provide a method that will actually return the final Object.
Builder Design Pattern in Java
Let’s see how we can implement builder design pattern in java.
- First of all you need to create a static nested class and then copy all the arguments from the outer class to the Builder class. We should follow the naming convention and if the class name is
Computerthen builder class should be named asComputerBuilder. - Java Builder class should have a public constructor with all the required attributes as parameters.
- Java Builder class should have methods to set the optional parameters and it should return the same Builder object after setting the optional attribute.
- The final step is to provide a
build()method in the builder class that will return the Object needed by client program. For this we need to have a private constructor in the Class with Builder class as argument.
Here is the sample builder pattern example code where we have a Computer class and ComputerBuilder class to build it.
package com.journaldev.design.builder;
public class Computer {
//required parameters
private String HDD;
private String RAM;
//optional parameters
private boolean isGraphicsCardEnabled;
private boolean isBluetoothEnabled;
public String getHDD() {
return HDD;
}
public String getRAM() {
return RAM;
}
public boolean isGraphicsCardEnabled() {
return isGraphicsCardEnabled;
}
public boolean isBluetoothEnabled() {
return isBluetoothEnabled;
}
private Computer(ComputerBuilder builder) {
this.HDD=builder.HDD;
this.RAM=builder.RAM;
this.isGraphicsCardEnabled=builder.isGraphicsCardEnabled;
this.isBluetoothEnabled=builder.isBluetoothEnabled;
}
//Builder Class
public static class ComputerBuilder{
// required parameters
private String HDD;
private String RAM;
// optional parameters
private boolean isGraphicsCardEnabled;
private boolean isBluetoothEnabled;
public ComputerBuilder(String hdd, String ram){
this.HDD=hdd;
this.RAM=ram;
}
public ComputerBuilder setGraphicsCardEnabled(boolean isGraphicsCardEnabled) {
this.isGraphicsCardEnabled = isGraphicsCardEnabled;
return this;
}
public ComputerBuilder setBluetoothEnabled(boolean isBluetoothEnabled) {
this.isBluetoothEnabled = isBluetoothEnabled;
return this;
}
public Computer build(){
return new Computer(this);
}
}
}
Notice that Computer class has only getter methods and no public constructor. So the only way to get a Computer object is through the ComputerBuilder class. Here is a builder pattern example test program showing how to use Builder class to get the object.
package com.journaldev.design.test;
import com.journaldev.design.builder.Computer;
public class TestBuilderPattern {
public static void main(String[] args) {
//Using builder to get the object in a single line of code and
//without any inconsistent state or arguments management issues
Computer comp = new Computer.ComputerBuilder(
"500 GB", "2 GB").setBluetoothEnabled(true)
.setGraphicsCardEnabled(true).build();
}
}
Builder Design Pattern Video Tutorial
Recently I uploaded a YouTube video for Builder Design Pattern. I have also explained why I think the builder pattern defined on WikiPedia using Director classes is not a very good Object Oriented approach, and how we can achieve the same level of abstraction using different approach and with one class. Note that this is my point of view, I feel design patterns are to guide us, but ultimately we have to decide if it’s really beneficial to implement it in our project or not. I am a firm believer of KISS principle. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5NK5qMM14g If you like the video, please do share it, like it and subscribe to my channel. If you think I am mistaken or you have any comments or feedback so that I can improve my videos in future, please let me know through comments here or on YouTube video page.
Builder Design Pattern Example in JDK
Some of the builder pattern example in Java classes are;
- java.lang.StringBuilder#append() (unsynchronized)
- java.lang.StringBuffer#append() (synchronized)
That’s all for builder design pattern in java.
You can download the example code from my GitHub Repository.
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About the author
Java and Python Developer for 20+ years, Open Source Enthusiast, Founder of https://www.askpython.com/, https://www.linuxfordevices.com/, and JournalDev.com (acquired by DigitalOcean). Passionate about writing technical articles and sharing knowledge with others. Love Java, Python, Unix and related technologies. Follow my X @PankajWebDev
Still looking for an answer?
Good article. Simple, lucid & very specific. Brings all the initialization complexity to inner class, which keeps you outer class clean, love this pattern. Is it like builder pattern cannot be implemented on those class whose attributes keep shifting from mandatory to optional and vice-versa, unless its designed to take every attributes thru the setter method of inner class.
- HIMANSU NAYAK
Good article. Why does below functions needs to return “this” when setting parameter? can you please give pointer on this?
- M
Hello Pankaj i have Question Why u have used only static nested class why not normal/regular inner class…i knw differences but in this example why we have used static nested clas only…plz reply…!
- Amritpal Singh
Hi Pankaj, There is still an issue with this approach. We are still expecting the client code to invoke the setters explicitly to ensure that the object state is consistent before the finally created object is returned upon invocation of build() method. We could have invoked the build method without even calling the setters and the boolean variables would have been initialized to false by default and still the object creation would have been successful with the consistent state. I think the another approach could be to provide a series of overloaded constructors with various combinations of optional parameters which invoke them in sequence until all the parameters are set and then the final object is created. In this case, we would not require to have even a build method. Please comment.
- Ashish
Can you please share/post UML design for the same as explain above Thanks Ashakant
- Ashakant
What is a need of getter and setter methods for outer class in above example if we are providing private constructor and no outer world can access the outer class?
- Rishi Naik
By this way, we can also create the object. Can you please explain the difference in using return this and the way below : public class TestBuilderPattern { public static void main(String[] args) { // Using builder to get the object in a single line of code and // without any inconsistent state or arguments management issues Computer.ComputerBuilder comp = new Computer.ComputerBuilder(“500 GB”, “2 GB”); comp.setBluetoothEnabled(true); comp.setGraphicsCardEnabled(true); comp.build(); System.out.println(comp); } public void setGraphicsCardEnabled(boolean isGraphicsCardEnabled) { this.isGraphicsCardEnabled = isGraphicsCardEnabled; // return this; } public void setBluetoothEnabled(boolean isBluetoothEnabled) { this.isBluetoothEnabled = isBluetoothEnabled; // return this; } }
- vijay
This blog was really nicely articulated and helpful. Thanks …
- Arijit Medya
Builder pattern described here is completely different from what other websites implementations. Here it shows with static inner class but others its not. Not sure which one is correct.
- Prabhakaran
I have one question that we are returning this in set() I know it is very important to return this in Builder pattern. But, Can you tell me what is the actual meaning when we return this and how it is actually executed. I have some confusions that how complier deal when we have used set() method of different fields for multiple times in same line of code while creating object and who will pick up this references of object before build().
- Kishan
This is not the definition of Builder pattern described in GoF. However, it’s a good solution for the problem mentioned at the beginning of the article which was addressed in Effective Java book.
- Maliox
It seems the only problem addressed here is when there are lot of input arguments to the constructor and all of them are not necessary. The above specified solution is just one of the use case of builder pattern. Don’t know if it is correct. Please refer to effective Java for the above specified problem. Chapter 2 Item 2.
- naval jain
Very nice article for Design Patterns!! SPOC blog for all design patterns for beginners.
- Hari
Please correct this syntax which is using in Builder factory pattern example. Your Code: Computer comp = new Computer.ComputerBuilder( “500 GB”, “2 GB”).setBluetoothEnabled(true) .setGraphicsCardEnabled(true).build(); call statement is wrong “new Computer.ComputerBuilder”
- Saurabh Tiwari
I see Builder Pattern being used in Spring Security (Something like this) . This is reference for Pattern being used ? public final class HttpSecurity extends AbstractConfiguredSecurityBuilder implements SecurityBuilder, HttpSecurityBuilder { its too complex to me to grasp easily in spring custom class . However this tutorial example is clear to understand the basic idea of using this Builder Pattern and implement. @Override public void configure(HttpSecurity http) throws Exception { http. anonymous().disable() .requestMatchers().antMatchers(“/user/**”) .and().authorizeRequests() .antMatchers(“/user/**”).access(“hasRole(‘ADMIN’)”) .and().exceptionHandling().accessDeniedHandler(new OAuth2AccessDeniedHandler()); } Thank you Pankaj /Jounaldev
- Venu
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/5238007/stringbuilder-and-builder-pattern he Append method of StringBuilder simply adds more characters to the existing string. There are no new objects created (basic function of the builder pattern) and there is no design pattern involved. It’s a single method call to a single object instance. Please correct it.
- Vinoth
Builder pattern requires a Director, I don’t see it here. just because you are calling a build() in the end will not make it a builder pattern.
- ravi
Font is too big to Read. pls make one unit small to boost Readability.
- kathiravan
A question regarding “We should follow the naming convention and if the class name is Computer then builder class should be named as ComputerBuilder”: Since our builder is a nested class, it will usually be addressed by something like ContainingClass.NestedClass, right? For example ClassToBeBuilt.Builder. Why does the convention suggest to use ClassToBeBuilt.ClassToBeBuiltBuilder instead?
- yaccob
If you are copying same data from compute calss to computer builder class and pass those parameters from client to builder . . Why are we doing this , why cant we directly instantiate object of computer from client . What is the use of builder pattern . Because you are any way having constructer in builder class for which client needs to send parameters , in the same way we can declare constructer in main class itself and parameters from client. You example is not clear why to use builder pattern.
- satya
This is a different version of Builder pattern which I have come to know but definitely its a way of implementing things. Thanks for sharing this with the code.
- Ujjawal Besra
Since we have to invoke the constructors and setter methods explicitly anyway, cant we do it directly on the computer class via a public constructor? Why did we even need the inner class ??
- Bismeet
Hey man thanks for this nice video/Article I have a question. What if you are working with POJO that you need to persist with Jpa/Hibernate. Do we need the setters for that?
- Mehdi Ahmed
if computer is a component interface say apple’s Mac and you want to create its instance is it possible for you to assemble hard disk monitor etc… so the component interfaces or classes which object creation is very complex we use factory Method design pattern but its have limitation and suitable for less data if you want to populate with big data then builder pattern is best one and for that you have to give all complex data to builder class…
- ISHANYA
While I’m reading the book writen by GOF, the book mentioned that Builder Pattern Constructure including three parts: Director， Builder, ConcreteBuilder. However, I haven’t saw the Builder in your codes, what’s more, the book also mentioned that a Builder may have several ConcreteBuilders, which I couldn’t understand.
- xun yan
Hello, Thank you for your presentation, I have something wrong with your example: You said " I resolved the issue about a lot of arguments but I don’t see your example can keep the benefit of Factory and AbsFactory ? Thanks
- Ncsthanh
Hi Pankaj, Can you explain " The problem with this approach is that the Object state will be inconsistent until unless all the attributes are set explicitly." this line in more detail.
- Hey
Why are we using inner class here? We can create a constructor of Computer as like ComputerBuilder and set the optional field by setter as you are doing with ComputerBulder.
- Ravi
I have just started to learning Design Patterns. I watch a video course on Udemy on Design Patterns but I understand more from your tutorials than those videos. Like the way you are teaching. Keep it up.
- Nitin Sangale
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