---
title: Context Object
category: Behavioral
language: en
tags:
    - Context
    - Decoupling
    - Encapsulation
---

## Also known as

* Context
* Context Encapsulation
* Context Holder

## Intent

Encapsulate the context (state and behaviors) relevant to the user or the request being processed in order to decouple application components from the complexities of the environment.

## Explanation

Real-world example

> This application has different layers labelled A, B and C with each extracting specific information from a similar context for further use in the software. Passing down each pieces of information individually would be inefficient, a method to efficiently store and pass information is needed.

In plain words

> Create an object to store the context data and pass it where needed.

[Core J2EE Patterns](http://corej2eepatterns.com/ContextObject.htm) says

> Use a Context Object to encapsulate state in a protocol-independent way to be shared throughout your application.

**Programmatic Example**

Define the data that the service context object contains.

```Java
@Getter
@Setter
public class ServiceContext {

    String accountService;
    String sessionService;
    String searchService;
}
```

Create an interface used in parts of the application for context objects to be created.

```Java
public class ServiceContextFactory {

    public static ServiceContext createContext() {
        return new ServiceContext();
    }
}
```

Instantiate the context object in the first layer. The adjoining layer calls the context in the current layer, which then further structures the object.

```Java
@Getter
public class LayerA {

    private static ServiceContext context;

    public LayerA() {
        context = ServiceContextFactory.createContext();
    }

    public void addAccountInfo(String accountService) {
        context.setACCOUNT_SERVICE(accountService);
    }
}

@Getter
public class LayerB {

    private static ServiceContext context;

    public LayerB(LayerA layerA) {
        this.context = layerA.getContext();
    }

    public void addSessionInfo(String sessionService) {
        context.setSESSION_SERVICE(sessionService);
    }
}

@Getter
public class LayerC {

    public static ServiceContext context;

    public LayerC(LayerB layerB) {
        this.context = layerB.getContext();
    }

    public void addSearchInfo(String searchService) {
        context.setSEARCH_SERVICE(searchService);
    }
}
```

Here is the context object and layers in action.

```Java
var layerA=new LayerA();
        layerA.addAccountInfo(SERVICE);
        LOGGER.info("Context = {}",layerA.getContext());
        var layerB=new LayerB(layerA);
        layerB.addSessionInfo(SERVICE);
        LOGGER.info("Context = {}",layerB.getContext());
        var layerC=new LayerC(layerB);
        layerC.addSearchInfo(SERVICE);
        LOGGER.info("Context = {}",layerC.getContext());
```

Program output:

```Java
Context=SERVICE null null
        Context=SERVICE SERVICE null
        Context=SERVICE SERVICE SERVICE
```

## Class diagram

![alt text](./etc/context-object.png "Context object")

## Applicability

* When there is a need to abstract and encapsulate context information from different parts of an application to avoid cluttering the business logic with environment-specific code.
* In web applications, to encapsulate request-specific information and make it easily accessible throughout the application without passing it explicitly between functions or components.
* In distributed systems, to encapsulate contextual information about the task being performed, user preferences, or security credentials, facilitating their propagation across different components and services.

## Known uses

* Web application frameworks often implement a Context Object to encapsulate HTTP request and response objects, session information, and other request-specific data.
* Enterprise applications use Context Objects to manage and propagate transactional information, security credentials, and user-specific settings across different layers and services.
* [Spring: ApplicationContext](https://docs.spring.io/spring-framework/docs/current/javadoc-api/org/springframework/context/ApplicationContext.html)
* [Oracle: SecurityContext](https://docs.oracle.com/javaee/7/api/javax/ws/rs/core/SecurityContext.html)
* [Oracle: ServletContext](https://docs.oracle.com/javaee/6/api/javax/servlet/ServletContext.html)

## Consequences

Benefits:

* Decoupling: Components and services are decoupled from the specificities of the execution environment, enhancing modularity and maintainability.
* Centralization: Contextual information is centralized in one place, making it easier to manage, access, and debug.
* Flexibility: The pattern allows for flexible and dynamic context management, which can adapt to changes in the environment or requirements.

Trade-offs:

* Overhead: Introducing a Context Object can add overhead in terms of performance, especially if not implemented efficiently.
* Complexity: If the Context Object is not well-designed, it can become a bloated and complex monolith, difficult to manage and understand.

## Related Patterns

* [Singleton](https://java-design-patterns.com/patterns/singleton/): The Context Object is often implemented as a Singleton to ensure a global point of access.
* [Strategy](https://java-design-patterns.com/patterns/strategy/): Context Objects can use Strategies to adapt their behavior based on the context they encapsulate.
* [Decorator](https://java-design-patterns.com/patterns/decorator/): Can be used to dynamically add responsibilities to the Context Object.

## Credits

* [Core J2EE Design Patterns](https://amzn.to/3IhcY9w)
* [Core J2EE Design Patterns website - Context Object](http://corej2eepatterns.com/ContextObject.htm)
* [Allan Kelly - The Encapsulate Context Pattern](https://accu.org/journals/overload/12/63/kelly_246/)
* [Arvid S. Krishna et al. - Context Object](https://www.dre.vanderbilt.edu/~schmidt/PDF/Context-Object-Pattern.pdf)