Editing Mediator pattern (section)

{{confused|Broker pattern}}
{{short description|Software architecture design pattern}}
In [[software engineering]], the '''mediator pattern''' defines an object that [[Encapsulation (computer programming)|encapsulates]] how a set of objects interact. This pattern is considered to be a [[behavioral pattern]] due to the way it can alter the program's running behavior.

In object-oriented programming, programs often consist of many [[class (computer science)|classes]]. [[Business logic]] and [[computation]] are distributed among these classes. However, as more classes are added to a program, especially during [[Software maintenance|maintenance]] and/or [[refactoring]], the problem of [[communication]] between these classes may become more complex. This makes the program harder to read and maintain. Furthermore, it can become difficult to change the program, since any change may affect code in several other classes.

With the mediator pattern, communication between objects is encapsulated within a '''mediator object'''. Objects no longer communicate directly with each other, but instead communicate through the mediator. This reduces the dependencies between communicating objects, thereby reducing [[Coupling (computer programming)|coupling]].