Are there any viable alternatives to the GOF Singleton Pattern?

Question

Let\'s face it. The Singleton Pattern is highly controversial topic with hordes programmers on both sides of the fence. There are those who feel like the Singleto

Answer 1

You shouldn't have to go out of your way to avoid any pattern. The use of a pattern is either a design decision or a natural fit (it just falls into place). When you are designing a system, you have a choice to either use a pattern or not use the pattern. However, you shouldn't go out of your way to avoid anything that is ultimately a design choice.

I don't avoid the Singleton Pattern. Either it's appropriate and I use it or it's not appropriate and I don't use it. I believe that it is as simple as that.

The appropriateness (or lack thereof) of the Singleton depends on the situation. It's a design decision that must be made and the consequences of that decision must be understood (and documented).