Design Patterns Java™ Workbook

Comparing Strategy and Template Method

Chapter 21, Template Method, described sorting as an example of the TEMPLATE METHOD pattern. You can use the sort() algorithm from the Collections class to sort any list of objects, so long as you supply a step to compare two objects. But you might argue that when you supply a comparison step to a sorting algorithm, you are changing the strategy. For instance, if you are selling rockets, presenting them sorted by price is a different marketing strategy from presenting them sorted by thrust.

CHALLENGE 23.6 Provide an argument as to whether the Collections.sort() method provides an example of TEMPLATE METHOD or an example of STRATEGY.