RE: [patterns-discussion] Abstract Factory vs. Factory Method

[Vernekar, Pralhad (IndSys, SalemVA)]

Hi   AbstractFactory is a collection of Factory Methods.   For example,   class WindowFrameworkCreator {     Component getWindow();     Component getDialog();     Component getScrollBar(); }     class WindoFrameworkCreator is an AbstractFactory and getXXX methods are Factory methods.       Another example of Factory Method   class RDBMSConnectorFactory {     RDBMSConnector getConnector ()     {         // return either Oracle or SQL Server Connector - by reading conf file     } }     regards Pralhad -----Original Message----- From: Pablo Schor [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2003 8:11 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [patterns-discussion] Abstract Factory vs. Factory Method I've been using the factory pattern for a while, but don't know exactly if I'm using the Abstract Factory or the Factory Method. They look the same to me, but what are the differences? thank you, Pablo