• Define the skeleton of an algorithm in an operation, deferring some steps to subclasses.
• Template Method lets subclasses redefine certain steps of an algorithm without changing the algorithm's structure.
• The intent of the Template Method design pattern is to provide an outline of a series of steps for an algorithm.
  • Derived classes retain the original structure of the algorithm but have the option to redefine or adjust certain steps of the algorithm.
  • This pattern is designed to offer extensibility to the client programmer.
  • Template Methods are frequently used when building a class library (for example an application framework) that is going to be used by other client programmers.
  • There are strong similarities between the Template Method and the Strategy pattern.
  • Both are designed for extensibility and customization as they allow the client to alter the way an algorithm or process is executed.
  • The difference is that with Strategy the entire algorithm is changed, whereas the Template method allows individual steps to be redefined.
    • However, their object-oriented implementations are quite different:
      • Strategy uses delegation and Template Method is based on object inheritance.
• It is through this pattern that .NET provides extensibility to the users of its API.
  • Take a look at custom controls in ASP.NET. Custom controls are created by inheriting from one of the control base classes (Control or WebControl).
  • Out of the box these base classes handle all functionality that are common to all controls.
    • E.g. initializing, loading, rendering, unloading, and firing control lifecycle events at the right time.
  • Your custom control extends the functionality of these base classes by overriding individual steps in the control generation algorithm.
    • E.g. the Render and CreateChildControls methods as well as handling certain events, such as the Postback event.

Participants

• AbstractClass (DataAccessObject)
  • Defines abstract primitive operations that concrete subclasses define to implement steps of an algorithm.
  • Implements a template method (Run) defining the skeleton of an algorithm.
    • The template method calls primitive operations as well as operations defined in the AbstractClass or those of other objects.
• ConcreteClass (Categories, Products)
  • Implements the primitive operations to carry out subclass-specific steps of the algorithm.

DataAccessObject daoCategories = new Categories();
daoCategories.Run();

DataAccessObject daoProducts = new Products();
daoProducts.Run();

public abstract class DataAccessObject
{
	protected string _ConnectionString;
	protected DataSet _DataSet;

	public virtual void Connect() => _ConnectionString = "provider=Microsoft.JET.OLEDB.4.0; data source=..\\\\..\\\\..\\\\db1.mdb";
	public abstract void Select();
	public abstract void Process();
	public virtual void Disconnect() => _ConnectionString = string.Empty;

	// The 'Template Method'.
	public void Run()
	{
		Connect();
		Select();
		Process();
		Disconnect();
	}
}

public class Categories : DataAccessObject
{
	public override void Select()
	{
		var sql = "SELECT CategoryName FROM Categories";
		var dataAdapter = new SqlDataAdapter(sql, _ConnectionString);

		_DataSet = new DataSet();
		dataAdapter.Fill(_DataSet, "Categories");
	}

	public override void Process()
	{
		var dataTable = _DataSet.Tables["Categories"];
		foreach (DataRow row in dataTable.Rows)
			Console.WriteLine(row["CategoryName"]);
	}
}

public class Products : DataAccessObject
{
	public override void Select()
	{
		var sql = "select ProductName from Products";
		var dataAdapter = new SqlDataAdapter(sql, _ConnectionString);

		_DataSet = new DataSet();
		dataAdapter.Fill(_DataSet, "Products");
	}

	public override void Process()
	{
		var dataTable = _DataSet.Tables["Products"];
		foreach (DataRow row in dataTable.Rows)
			Console.WriteLine(row["ProductName"]);
	}
}

Rules of Thumb

• Strategy is like Template Method except in its granularity.
• Template Method uses inheritance to vary part of an algorithm.
  • Strategy uses delegation to vary the entire algorithm.
• Strategy modifies the logic of individual objects.
  • Template Method modifies the logic of an entire class.
• Factory Method is a specialization of Template Method.