The Proxy Pattern allows for the creation of a proxy object that controls access to a real object. A proxy implements the same interface as the real object and delegates requests to it. This allows proxies to perform additional processing like lazy loading of objects to defer costs, or controlling access to shared objects. Clients receive a reference to the proxy instead of the real object and are unaware that a proxy is being used.

1. The Proxy PatternThe Proxy Pattern
Code Review: 7/19/13 Chester Hartin

2. ProblemsProblems
 You need to control access to an objectYou need to control access to an object
 Defer the cost of object creation andDefer the cost of object creation and
initialization until actually usedinitialization until actually used

3. SolutionSolution
 Create a Proxy object that implements theCreate a Proxy object that implements the
same interface as the real objectsame interface as the real object
 The Proxy object contains a reference to theThe Proxy object contains a reference to the
real objectreal object
 Clients are given a reference to the Proxy, notClients are given a reference to the Proxy, not
the real objectthe real object
 All client operations on the object pass throughAll client operations on the object pass through
the Proxy, allowing the Proxy to performthe Proxy, allowing the Proxy to perform
additional processingadditional processing

4. Proxy PatternProxy Pattern
 Acts as an intermediary between the client and the targetActs as an intermediary between the client and the target
objectobject
 Why? Target may be inaccessible (network issues, too large toWhy? Target may be inaccessible (network issues, too large to
run, resources…)run, resources…)
 Has the same interface as the target objectHas the same interface as the target object
 The proxy has a reference to the target object and forwardsThe proxy has a reference to the target object and forwards
(delegates) requests to it(delegates) requests to it
 Useful when more sophistication is needed than a simpleUseful when more sophistication is needed than a simple
reference to an object (i.e. we want to wrap code aroundreference to an object (i.e. we want to wrap code around
references to an object)references to an object)
 Proxies are invisible to the client, so introducing proxiesProxies are invisible to the client, so introducing proxies
does not affect client codedoes not affect client code

5. Proxy patternProxy pattern
 Interface inheritance is used to specify the interfaceInterface inheritance is used to specify the interface
shared byshared by ProxyProxy andand RealSubject.RealSubject.
 Delegation is used to catch and forward any accesses toDelegation is used to catch and forward any accesses to
thethe RealSubjectRealSubject (if desired)(if desired)
 Proxy patterns can be used for lazy evaluation and forProxy patterns can be used for lazy evaluation and for
remote invocation.remote invocation.
Subject
Request()
RealSubject
Request()
Proxy
Request()
realSubject

6. 6
Proxy PatternProxy Pattern
 Types of ProxiesTypes of Proxies
 Virtual Proxy / Cache ProxyVirtual Proxy / Cache Proxy: Create an: Create an
expensive object on demand (lazyexpensive object on demand (lazy
construction) / Hold results temporarilyconstruction) / Hold results temporarily
 Remote ProxyRemote Proxy: Use a local representative for: Use a local representative for
a remote object (different address space)a remote object (different address space)
 Protection ProxyProtection Proxy: Control access to shared: Control access to shared
objectobject

7. Virtual Proxy ExamplesVirtual Proxy Examples
 Object-Oriented DatabasesObject-Oriented Databases
 Objects contain references to each otherObjects contain references to each other
 Only load the real object from disk if a method is neededOnly load the real object from disk if a method is needed
 Resource ConservationResource Conservation
 Save memory by only loading objects that are actually usedSave memory by only loading objects that are actually used
 Objects that are used can be unloaded after awhile, freeing upObjects that are used can be unloaded after awhile, freeing up
memory (Can also be Cached Proxy)memory (Can also be Cached Proxy)
 Word ProcessorWord Processor
 Documents that contain lots of multimedia objects should still loadDocuments that contain lots of multimedia objects should still load
fastfast
 Create proxies that represent large images, movies, etc., and onlyCreate proxies that represent large images, movies, etc., and only
load objects on demand as they become visible on the screenload objects on demand as they become visible on the screen

8. Image Proxy (1 or 3)Image Proxy (1 or 3)
interface Image {
public void displayImage();
}
class RealImage implements Image {
private String filename;
public RealImage(String filename) {
this.filename = filename;
System.out.println("Loading "+filename);
}
public void displayImage() { System.out.println("Displaying "+filename); }
}

9. Image Proxy (2 of 3)Image Proxy (2 of 3)
class ProxyImage implements Image {
private String filename;
private RealImage image = null;
public ProxyImage(String filename) { this.filename = filename; }
public void displayImage() {
if (image == null) {
image = new RealImage(filename); // load only on demand
}
image.displayImage();
}
}

10. Image Proxy (3 of 3)Image Proxy (3 of 3)
class ProxyExample {
public static void main(String[] args) {
ArrayList<Image> images = new ArrayList<Image>();
images.add( new ProxyImage("HiRes_10GB_Photo1") );
images.add( new ProxyImage("HiRes_10GB_Photo2") );
images.add( new ProxyImage("HiRes_10GB_Photo3") );
images.get(0).displayImage(); // loading necessary
images.get(1).displayImage(); // loading necessary
images.get(0).displayImage(); // no loading necessary; already done
// the third image will never be loaded - time saved!
}
}

11. Main
DisplayImage()
RealImage
DisplayImage()
ProxyImage
DisplayImage()
realSubject
Image Proxy DiagramImage Proxy Diagram

12. 12
Sample Context: Word ProcessorSample Context: Word Processor
Paragraph
Document
Paragraph
Image
Document
Draw()
GetExtent()
Store()
Load()
Glyph
Text
extent
Draw()
GetExtent()
Store()
Load()
Paragraph
fileName
extent
Draw()
GetExtent()
Store()
Load()
Image
content
extent
Draw()
GetExtent()
Store()
Load()
Table

13. 13
ForcesForces
1. The image is expensive to load1. The image is expensive to load
2. The complete image is not always2. The complete image is not always
necessarynecessary
2MB 2KB
optimize!

14. Simple DiagramSimple Diagram
image
aTextDocument
fileName
animageProxy
data
animage
inmemory ondisc

15. Implementation DiagramImplementation Diagram
DocumentEditor
Draw()
GetExtent()
Store()
Load()
Graphic*
imageImp
extent
Draw()
GetExtent()
Store()
Load()
Image
fileName
extent
Draw()
GetExtent()
Store()
Load()
ImageProxy if (image==0){
image=LoadImage(fileName);
}
image->Draw()
if (image==0){
returnextent;
}else{
returnimage->GetExtent();
}
image

16. Remote ProxyRemote Proxy
 The Client and Real Subject are in different processesThe Client and Real Subject are in different processes
or on different machines, and so a direct method callor on different machines, and so a direct method call
will not workwill not work
 The Proxy's job is to pass the method call acrossThe Proxy's job is to pass the method call across
process or machine boundaries, and return the resultprocess or machine boundaries, and return the result
to the client (with Broker's help)to the client (with Broker's help)

17. Protection ProxyProtection Proxy
 Different clients have different levels of accessDifferent clients have different levels of access
privileges to an objectprivileges to an object
 Clients access the object through a proxyClients access the object through a proxy
 The proxy either allows or rejects a method callThe proxy either allows or rejects a method call
depending on what method is being called anddepending on what method is being called and
who is calling it (i.e., the client's identity)who is calling it (i.e., the client's identity)

18. Additional UsesAdditional Uses
 Read-only CollectionsRead-only Collections
 Wrap collection object in a proxy that only allows read-onlyWrap collection object in a proxy that only allows read-only
operations to be invoked on the collectionoperations to be invoked on the collection
 All other operations throw exceptionsAll other operations throw exceptions
 List Collections.unmodifiableList(List list);List Collections.unmodifiableList(List list);
 Returns read-only List proxyReturns read-only List proxy
 Synchronized CollectionsSynchronized Collections
 Wrap collection object in a proxy that ensures only one thread atWrap collection object in a proxy that ensures only one thread at
a time is allowed to access the collectiona time is allowed to access the collection
 Proxy acquires lock before calling a method, and releases lockProxy acquires lock before calling a method, and releases lock
after the method completesafter the method completes
 List Collections.synchronizedList(List list);List Collections.synchronizedList(List list);
 Returns a synchronized List proxyReturns a synchronized List proxy