layout	title	folder	permalink	categories	tags
pattern	Double Dispatch	double-dispatch	/patterns/double-dispatch/	Idiom	Extensibility

Intent

Double Dispatch pattern is a way to create maintainable dynamic behavior based on receiver and parameter types.

Class diagram

Applicability

Use the Double Dispatch pattern when

• the dynamic behavior is not defined only based on receiving object's type but also on the receiving method's parameter type.

Real world examples

• ObjectOutputStream