RequestFactory

RequestFactory is a term used in software development for components or patterns that create request objects used in web applications, APIs, or tests. Implementations vary by framework and context, but the core idea is to encapsulate construction and configuration of request instances so code can create, send, or simulate requests in a consistent, decoupled way.

In testing, a RequestFactory often builds mock or synthetic HTTP request objects that mimic framework request types. For example, many web frameworks provide a RequestFactory utility to construct requests with specific methods, headers, cookies, session data, and body content so controllers or view logic can be exercised in isolation without a running server.

In client-server communication, some platforms offer a RequestFactory API to streamline typed, structured request creation and serialization. A notable example is Google Web Toolkit’s RequestFactory, which maps client-side proxy objects to server-side domain entities and handles transporting data, validation, and optimistic concurrency in a lightweight RPC-like model.

Advantages include improved testability, centralized configuration (headers, authentication, timeouts), and clearer separation of concerns. Drawbacks can include over-abstraction, potential coupling to factory APIs, and the need to keep factories up to date with request model changes. Best practices recommend keeping factories simple and focused, using them for reproducible test setup, and ensuring security-sensitive fields are handled consistently.