ClassSwitchRekombination

ClassSwitchRek is a conceptual pattern in object-oriented programming that enables an instance to change its active class at runtime, thereby altering its behavior without creating a new object. The term combines “class switch” with a suffix to denote a reversible, context-driven morphing of an object's interface and implementation.

Overview: The mechanism typically relies on an internal descriptor or registry that maps the current state to a concrete class implementation. A host object maintains a reference to the active class or a proxy that delegates method calls to the active implementation. Transitions are triggered by events, state changes, or policy decisions and can preserve existing object state across switches.

Implementation considerations: Supports polymorphic dispatch while maintaining encapsulation. Potential approaches include the state pattern, a dynamic proxy, or a class-switching framework that swaps method tables. Trade-offs include increased runtime overhead, complexity in debugging, and risks to type safety if switches are not thoroughly constrained.

Applications: Adaptive user interfaces, feature flagging, or game AI where agents switch capabilities based on context. It is primarily explored in research or as a pattern in experimental languages and libraries rather than as a general-purpose technique.

See also: dynamic dispatch, state pattern, proxy, mixin, type morphing.