Editing Prototype pattern (section)

== Rules of thumb ==
Sometimes [[creational pattern]]s overlap—there are cases when either prototype or [[abstract factory pattern|abstract factory]] would be appropriate. At other times, they complement each other: abstract factory might store a set of prototypes from which to clone and return product objects.{{r|GoF|p=126}} Abstract factory, [[builder pattern|builder]], and prototype can use [[singleton pattern|singleton]] in their implementations.{{r|GoF|pp=81,134}} Abstract factory classes are often implemented with factory methods (creation through [[inheritance (object-oriented programming)|inheritance]]), but they can be implemented using prototype (creation through [[delegation (programming)|delegation]]).{{r|GoF|p=95}}

Often, designs start out using Factory Method (less complicated, more customizable, subclasses proliferate) and evolve toward abstract factory, prototype, or builder (more flexible, more complex) as the designer discovers where more flexibility is needed.{{r|GoF|p=136}}

Prototype does not require subclassing, but it does require an "initialize" operation. Factory method requires subclassing, but does not require initialization.{{r|GoF|p=116}}

Designs that make heavy use of the [[composite pattern|composite]] and [[decorator pattern|decorator]] patterns often can benefit from Prototype as well.{{r|GoF|p=126}}

A general guideline in programming suggests using the <code>clone()</code> method when creating a duplicate object during runtime to ensure it accurately reflects the original object. This process, known as object cloning, produces a new object with identical attributes to the one being cloned. Alternatively, ''instantiating'' a class using the <code>new</code> keyword generates an object with default attribute values.

For instance, in the context of designing a system for managing bank account transactions, it may be necessary to duplicate the object containing account information to conduct transactions while preserving the original data. In such scenarios, employing the <code>clone()</code> method is preferable over using <code>new</code> to instantiate a new object.