Java: using polymorphism to avoid if-statements?

Question

I\'m attempting to write a java program that initializes certain layouts based on what the user selects. What I want to do is try to avoid writing a bunch of if-statements s

Answer 1

I'm a "little fuzzy" on your code architecture but the idea is that you only have the switch in one place rather than having multiple switches strewn throughout your code that have the same exact function signatures except the object it is operating on.

The exact implementation depends on what your goals are, but I would think that you would have one class that implements LayoutHander and has a member reference to a Layout. When the user picks his layout, the polymorphism takes hold HERE, not the level above as you have it now. That is to say, if the object that defines the different behavior is the "Layout" then you need to make Layout polymorphic, not LayoutHander.

When you think polymorhism, think code reuse. "What common set of functions do these relateded yet different objects share?"