Editing Facade pattern (section)

{{Short description|Software design pattern}}
The '''facade pattern''' (also spelled ''façade'') is a [[software design pattern]] commonly used in [[object-oriented programming]]. Analogous to a [[façade]] in architecture, it is an [[Object (computer science)|object]] that serves as a front-facing interface masking more complex underlying or structural code. A facade can:
* improve the readability and usability of a [[software library]] by masking interaction with more complex components behind a single (and often simplified) [[application programming interface]] (API)
* provide a context-specific interface to more generic functionality (complete with context-specific input [[Data validation|validation]])
* serve as a launching point for a broader [[Code refactoring|refactor]] of [[Monolithic system|monolithic]] or tightly-coupled systems in favor of more [[Loose coupling|loosely-coupled]] code

Developers often use the facade design pattern when a system is very complex or difficult to understand because the system has many interdependent classes or because its source code is unavailable. This pattern hides the complexities of the larger system and provides a simpler interface to the client. It typically involves a single [[wrapper class]] that contains a set of members required by the client. These members access the system on behalf of the facade client and hide the implementation details.