The Open-Closed Principle is one of the SOLID principles of object-oriented design, stating that software entities (classes, modules, functions) should be open for extension but closed for modification. This means that the behavior of a module can be extended without modifying its source code.
Why is the Open-Closed Principle important?
The Open-Closed Principle is important because it promotes software maintainability and scalability by allowing developers to extend functionality without modifying existing code, reducing the risk of introducing bugs.
How can you implement the Open-Closed Principle?
You can implement the Open-Closed Principle by using abstraction, such as interfaces or abstract classes, and by following design patterns like Strategy or Decorator to extend behavior without altering existing code.
What are examples of the Open-Closed Principle in practice?
Examples of the Open-Closed Principle in practice include using polymorphism to add new functionalities and leveraging design patterns like Observer or Template Method to extend existing systems without modifying core logic.