Introduce Null Object

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[[Category:Design Patterns]]
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[[Category:Behavioural Patterns]]
 
''Summarised from Refactoring'' [[Martin Fowler 1999]]
 
''Summarised from Refactoring'' [[Martin Fowler 1999]]
  
== Motivation ==
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== Use When ==
  
 
If you have repeated checks for a null reference, because one can't invoke anything on a null reference.
 
If you have repeated checks for a null reference, because one can't invoke anything on a null reference.
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This pattern can also be used to act as a stub for testing if a certain feature, such as a database, is not available for testing.
 
This pattern can also be used to act as a stub for testing if a certain feature, such as a database, is not available for testing.
  
== Solution ==
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== Structure ==
  
 
Replace your check for a null reference with a null object
 
Replace your check for a null reference with a null object
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It can be regarded as a special case of the [[State pattern]] and the [[Strategy Pattern]].
 
It can be regarded as a special case of the [[State pattern]] and the [[Strategy Pattern]].
  
== Advantage ==
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== Consequences ==
  
 
This neglates the need to check for a null reference.
 
This neglates the need to check for a null reference.
  
 
Another advantage of this approach over a working default implementation is that a null object is predictable and has no side effects: it does nothing.
 
Another advantage of this approach over a working default implementation is that a null object is predictable and has no side effects: it does nothing.
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==Related Patterns==
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[[Strategy]]
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[[State]]
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{{design patterns}}

Revision as of 22:18, 2 August 2009

Summarised from Refactoring Martin Fowler 1999

Contents

Use When

If you have repeated checks for a null reference, because one can't invoke anything on a null reference.

For example your code looks like:

if (customer == null)
  plan = BillingPlan.basic();
else 
  plan = customer.getPlan();

This pattern can also be used to act as a stub for testing if a certain feature, such as a database, is not available for testing.

Structure

Replace your check for a null reference with a null object

Null Object.jpg

  • Create a subclass that acts as a null version of the class.
  • Create an isNull() method in both classes. For the superclass it should return "false", and "true" for the subclass.
  • Find all places that can give out a null value when asked for an object of the superclass and replace them to give a null object instead.
  • Find all places that compare a variable of the superclass type with null and replace them with a call to isNull().

It can be regarded as a special case of the State pattern and the Strategy Pattern.

Consequences

This neglates the need to check for a null reference.

Another advantage of this approach over a working default implementation is that a null object is predictable and has no side effects: it does nothing.

Related Patterns

Strategy State


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