Is a ConfigParser/ObjCreator a Builder?

[miguelf]

I have a Parameters class that takes as input a configuration file name
and is able to parse the file for initializing it's internal parameter
fields. Then based on it's internal parameters it can create an
instance of a FrameGrabber object. The code would look something like
this:

// read the configuration file
frame_grabber_params params(configfile);

// create the frame grabber object
frame_grabber *fgrabber1 = params.create_frame_grabber();

// add/change other hard-wired settings
params.set_native_display(true);
params.set_multi_buffering(5);

// create another frame grabber object
frame_grabber *fgrabber2 = params.create_frame_grabber();

Also, the create method is able to create/return a subclass of
frame_grabber based on the configuration file.

My question is: Would the Parameters (frame_grabber_params) object be a
Builder Pattern? Or is this a similar pattern, but not really a
Builder. Is there another pattern that is closer to it?

Thanks for any comments on this.

--Miguel

[Nick Malik [Microsoft]]

In the sense that your class is used to encapsulate complicated code for the
purpose of creating an object, it is either a factory or a builder.
Normally a builder creates more than one object in response to stimuli,
returning an entire tree of objects in memory. If you are just returning a
single object, I'd say it is a factory method.

Now, the fact that it is configurable is excellent, and exceeds the
requirements for a factory method. I do not know if there is a name for the
specialized form of a factory method pattern that utilizes configuration
data to determine the object to create.

--
--- Nick Malik [Microsoft]
MCSD, CFPS, Certified Scrummaster
http://blogs.msdn.com/nickmalik

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in this forum are my own, and not
representative of my employer.
I do not answer questions on behalf of my employer. I'm just a
programmer helping programmers.
--
"miguelf" <figueroa.villanueva@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1131164011.211435.313500@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
>I have a Parameters class that takes as input a configuration file name
> and is able to parse the file for initializing it's internal parameter
> fields. Then based on it's internal parameters it can create an
> instance of a FrameGrabber object. The code would look something like
> this:
>
> // read the configuration file
> frame_grabber_params params(configfile);
>
> // create the frame grabber object
> frame_grabber *fgrabber1 = params.create_frame_grabber();
>
> // add/change other hard-wired settings
> params.set_native_display(true);
> params.set_multi_buffering(5);
>
> // create another frame grabber object
> frame_grabber *fgrabber2 = params.create_frame_grabber();
>
> Also, the create method is able to create/return a subclass of
> frame_grabber based on the configuration file.
>
> My question is: Would the Parameters (frame_grabber_params) object be a
> Builder Pattern? Or is this a similar pattern, but not really a
> Builder. Is there another pattern that is closer to it?
>
> Thanks for any comments on this.
>
> --Miguel
>

[miguelf]

Well, thanks to all who answered. I guess it is clear now that it is
not a Builder. I guess my confusion stems from the fact that I don't
have much experience with patterns and, therefore, try to apply a
formula too narowly to a given problem. I think the fact remains that
it simply is a factory method with other tasks or features, namely it
is configurable.

Thanks again for all the responses.

--Miguel