Understanding the JavaScript Template Method Pattern
Jul 19, 2025 am 12:03 AMThe template method pattern is a behavioral design pattern that defines an algorithm framework in the base class and delays specific steps to the subclass implementation. It enhances code reuse and structural clarity by encapsulating fixed processes and allowing local customization. 1. The core idea is to define the algorithm skeleton and delay some steps to subclasses; 2. Define template methods and steps through parent classes in JavaScript, and subclasses inherit and rewrite specific methods to implement; 3. Applicable scenarios include multiple subclasses sharing logic but different details, keeping the algorithm structure stable and requiring flexible changes; 4. When using it, pay attention to avoid excessive dependence on inheritance, ensuring that the step naming is clear, and non-abstract steps can be directly implemented in the parent class, and beware of the runtime risks brought by JS lacking interface support.
The Template Method Pattern in JavaScript is a behavioral design pattern that defines the skeleton of an algorithm but delays some steps to implementation in a subclass. This pattern is very useful when dealing with scenarios that require shared logic but allow partial customization.

What is template method pattern?
The core idea of template methods is: define a method framework in a base class, and hand over some specific steps to subclasses to implement. This allows different subclasses to provide different implementation details without changing the algorithm structure.
To give a simple example: you have a "cooking" process that includes preparing ingredients, cooking and placing dishes. Among them, "preparing ingredients" and "placing dishes" may be different for each dish, but the entire process is fixed. At this time, you can use the template method to encapsulate this process.

How to implement template methods in JavaScript?
JavaScript is a dynamic language that does not have a strict class structure like Java, but this does not prevent us from using template method patterns. The usual practice is:
- Define a parent class that contains a main method (i.e. template method) that calls multiple step methods
- Some of the step methods are default implementations, and some are "abstract" (can be understood as throwing errors or empty functions in JS)
- Subclasses inherit the parent class and override the steps that require customization
class Meal { prepare() { this.gatherIngredients(); this.cook(); this.present(); } gatherIngredients() { throw new Error('GatherIngredients method must be implemented'); } cook() { console.log('Cooking...'); } present() { console.log('Collection is completed'); } } class Salad extends Meal { gatherIngredients() { console.log('vegetables and sauces needed to prepare salad'); } }
In this example, prepare
is the template method, which defines the overall process of cooking, and gatherIngredients
is the part that the subclass must implement.

Which scenarios are suitable for using templates?
The template method is suitable for the following situations:
- Multiple subclasses have common behavior, but different details
- The overall structure of the algorithm is stable, but some steps require flexible changes
- You want to avoid duplicate code in subclasses while still wanting to be scalable
Common application scenarios include:
- Initialization process of UI components
- Data processing pipelines (such as loading, conversion, display)
- Different types of report generators
For example, when you develop a chart library, all charts require the steps of "get data → rendering → add interaction", but the data processing method of each chart is different, so the template method comes in handy.
What should I pay attention to when using template methods?
Although the template method is practical, there are some things that are easy to ignore when using:
- Don't over-rely rely on inheritance : If too much logic is placed in the parent class, it will make subclasses difficult to understand and maintain
- Naming should be clear : each step in the template method should have clear meaning, otherwise others will be confused when reading the code.
- Not all steps need to be abstracted : some general operations can be implemented directly in the parent class, such as log output, error handling, etc.
In addition, JavaScript lacks native interface support, so if a method is not implemented in the parent class but is called in the template, an error will be reported at runtime, which may pose a potential risk.
Basically that's it. The template method pattern is a lightweight but effective way to organize structures, especially suitable for those "largely consistent, locally different" tasks. Using it well can improve code reuse rate and make the structure clearer.
The above is the detailed content of Understanding the JavaScript Template Method Pattern. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!

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