PatternWithContext

PatternWithContext is a broad concept in software design and data processing that describes patterns whose behavior adapts based on contextual information. It is not a single formal pattern in classic catalogs but a principle realized through various pattern implementations whenever context drives variation in how a pattern operates.

Core idea

The central idea is to separate the pattern logic from the context that influences it. By supplying context data or wiring the pattern through context-aware components, the same pattern instance can exhibit different behavior without duplicating code. This enhances flexibility, reuse, and the ability to experiment with alternative behaviors at runtime.

Mechanisms and implementations

PatternWithContext can be realized through several techniques, including passing a context object, using dependency injection, applying the strategy pattern to switch algorithms based on context, or employing wrapper adapters that translate contextual information into pattern parameters. In practice, contexts may be supplied implicitly via environment settings or explicitly via function arguments.

Common contexts

Contexts include user roles and permissions, locale or language, time or season, device capabilities, and application state. Examples: a pricing or validation rule that varies by user segment; a UI component that renders differently according to accessibility settings; a data transformation that formats results according to locale.

Benefits and considerations

Benefits include greater adaptability, reduced code duplication, and easier experimentation with alternative behaviors. Drawbacks include added design and testing complexity, potential for context leakage, and the need for clear documentation of which contexts affect which behaviors.

Relationship to other patterns

PatternWithContext relates to strategy, state, and decorator patterns, providing context-driven variation without altering the core pattern. It is often used in design systems and configurable architectures.

See also

Context-oriented programming, strategy pattern, state pattern, decorator pattern.