Composite Pattern

Part of the Object Oriented Programming section of Coddy's Python journey — lesson 54 of 64.

The Composite Pattern treats individual objects and groups of objects uniformly. It creates tree structures where both single items and collections of items share the same interface.

Here are simple components for a file system:

class File:
    def __init__(self, name, size):
        self.name = name
        self.size = size
    
    def get_size(self):
        return self.size
    
    def display(self):
        return f"File: {self.name} ({self.size}KB)"

class Folder:
    def __init__(self, name):
        self.name = name
        self.children = []
    
    def add(self, item):
        self.children.append(item)
    
    def get_size(self):
        total = 0
        for child in self.children:
            total += child.get_size()
        return total
    
    def display(self):
        result = f"Folder: {self.name}"
        for child in self.children:
            result += f"\n  {child.display()}"
        return result

Both files and folders have the same methods (get_size() and display()), so they can be treated uniformly.

Build a file system structure:

# Create files
file1 = File("document.txt", 10)
file2 = File("image.jpg", 50)
file3 = File("video.mp4", 200)

# Create folders
documents = Folder("Documents")
media = Folder("Media")
root = Folder("Root")

# Build the tree structure
documents.add(file1)
media.add(file2)
media.add(file3)
root.add(documents)
root.add(media)

Use the composite structure:

print(f"Root size: {root.get_size()}KB")
print(root.display())

Create another example with a menu system:

class MenuItem:
    def __init__(self, name, price):
        self.name = name
        self.price = price
    
    def get_price(self):
        return self.price
    
    def show(self):
        return f"{self.name}: ${self.price}"

class Menu:
    def __init__(self, name):
        self.name = name
        self.items = []
    
    def add(self, item):
        self.items.append(item)
    
    def get_price(self):
        total = 0
        for item in self.items:
            total += item.get_price()
        return total
    
    def show(self):
        result = f"{self.name} Menu:"
        for item in self.items:
            result += f"\n  {item.show()}"
        return result

combo = Menu("Combo")
combo.add(MenuItem("Burger", 8))
combo.add(MenuItem("Fries", 3))
combo.add(MenuItem("Drink", 2))

print(f"Combo price: ${combo.get_price()}")
print(combo.show())

Output:

Root size: 260KB
Folder: Root
  Folder: Documents
    File: document.txt (10KB)
  Folder: Media
    File: image.jpg (50KB)
    File: video.mp4 (200KB)
Combo price: $13
Combo Menu:
  Burger: $8
  Fries: $3
  Drink: $2

Key Point: The Composite Pattern lets you treat individual objects and collections of objects the same way. Both leaves (individual items) and composites (groups) implement the same interface, making it easy to work with tree structures like file systems, menus, or organizational charts.

Challenge

Medium

In this challenge, you will implement a file system structure using the Composite design pattern. The Composite pattern allows you to compose objects into tree structures to represent part-whole hierarchies, treating individual objects and compositions of objects uniformly.

The Composite pattern consists of:

Component: An abstract class that defines the common interface for all concrete classes
Leaf: Represents end objects of a composition with no sub-elements
Composite: Defines behavior for components having children and stores child components

You will implement a file system with:

An abstract FileSystemComponent class (Component)
A File class (Leaf)
A Directory class (Composite)
A FileSystem class to manage the overall structure

Implement the abstract base class with appropriate abstract methods
Create concrete implementations for files and directories
Ensure directories can contain both files and other directories
Implement recursive operations like size calculation and display
Add path-based operations for adding, removing, and finding components
Handle error cases appropriately
Ensure proper encapsulation of component properties

Cheat sheet

The Composite Pattern treats individual objects and groups of objects uniformly by creating tree structures where both single items and collections share the same interface.

Basic File System Example:

class File:
    def __init__(self, name, size):
        self.name = name
        self.size = size
    
    def get_size(self):
        return self.size
    
    def display(self):
        return f"File: {self.name} ({self.size}KB)"

class Folder:
    def __init__(self, name):
        self.name = name
        self.children = []
    
    def add(self, item):
        self.children.append(item)
    
    def get_size(self):
        total = 0
        for child in self.children:
            total += child.get_size()
        return total
    
    def display(self):
        result = f"Folder: {self.name}"
        for child in self.children:
            result += f"\n  {child.display()}"
        return result

Building the Structure:

# Create files
file1 = File("document.txt", 10)
file2 = File("image.jpg", 50)

# Create folders
documents = Folder("Documents")
root = Folder("Root")

# Build tree structure
documents.add(file1)
root.add(documents)

# Use uniformly
print(f"Root size: {root.get_size()}KB")
print(root.display())

Menu System Example:

class MenuItem:
    def __init__(self, name, price):
        self.name = name
        self.price = price
    
    def get_price(self):
        return self.price
    
    def show(self):
        return f"{self.name}: ${self.price}"

class Menu:
    def __init__(self, name):
        self.name = name
        self.items = []
    
    def add(self, item):
        self.items.append(item)
    
    def get_price(self):
        total = 0
        for item in self.items:
            total += item.get_price()
        return total
    
    def show(self):
        result = f"{self.name} Menu:"
        for item in self.items:
            result += f"\n  {item.show()}"
        return result

Pattern Components:

Component: Abstract class defining common interface
Leaf: End objects with no sub-elements (File, MenuItem)
Composite: Objects with children that implement same interface (Folder, Menu)

Key Benefits: Treats individual objects and collections uniformly, making it easy to work with tree structures like file systems, menus, or organizational charts.

Try it yourself

# Import all necessary classes
from file_system import FileSystem
from directory import Directory
from file import File

# Comprehensive test case handler
test_case = input()

if test_case == "basic_file_test":
    file = File("test.txt", 100)
    print(f"Name: {file.name}")
    print(f"Size: {file.get_size()} KB")
    print(file.display())

elif test_case == "basic_directory_test":
    documents = Directory("Documents")
    file1 = File("resume.pdf", 250)
    file2 = File("cover_letter.doc", 180)
    documents.add(file1)
    documents.add(file2)
    print(f"Total size: {documents.get_size()} KB")
    print(documents.display())

elif test_case == "file_system_basic_test":
    fs = FileSystem()
    readme = File("README.md", 50)
    fs.add_to_path("/", readme)
    print(fs.display())
    print(f"Total system size: {fs.get_total_size()} KB")

elif test_case == "nested_directory_test":
    fs = FileSystem()
    docs = Directory("Documents")
    projects = Directory("Projects")
    
    fs.add_to_path("/", docs)
    fs.add_to_path("/Documents", projects)
    
    project_file = File("main.py", 300)
    readme = File("README.md", 75)
    
    fs.add_to_path("/Documents/Projects", project_file)
    fs.add_to_path("/Documents/Projects", readme)
    
    print(fs.display())

elif test_case == "path_operations_test":
    fs = FileSystem()
    
    # Create directory structure
    docs = Directory("Documents")
    projects = Directory("Projects")
    fs.add_to_path("/", docs)
    fs.add_to_path("/Documents", projects)
    
    # Add files
    file1 = File("notes.txt", 120)
    file2 = File("project1.py", 450)
    fs.add_to_path("/Documents", file1)
    fs.add_to_path("/Documents/Projects", file2)
    
    # Test path operations
    retrieved_docs = fs.get_from_path("/Documents")
    retrieved_file = fs.get_from_path("/Documents/Projects/project1.py")
    
    print(f"Documents directory size: {retrieved_docs.get_size()} KB")
    print(f"Retrieved file: {retrieved_file.name} ({retrieved_file.get_size()} KB)")

elif test_case == "file_validation_test":
    try:
        invalid_file = File("negative.txt", -50)
        print("Validation failed - should have raised ValueError")
    except ValueError as e:
        print(f"Caught expected error: {e}")
    
    # Test NotImplementedError operations
    valid_file = File("test.txt", 100)
    try:
        valid_file.add(File("other.txt", 50))
    except NotImplementedError as e:
        print(f"Add operation error: {e}")
    
    try:
        valid_file.get_component("nonexistent")
    except NotImplementedError as e:
        print(f"Get component error: {e}")

elif test_case == "directory_duplicate_test":
    directory = Directory("TestDir")
    file1 = File("duplicate.txt", 100)
    file2 = File("duplicate.txt", 200)
    
    directory.add(file1)
    print("First file added successfully")
    
    try:
        directory.add(file2)
        print("Duplicate check failed")
    except ValueError as e:
        print(f"Caught expected duplicate error: {e}")

elif test_case == "component_removal_test":
    directory = Directory("TestDir")
    file1 = File("file1.txt", 100)
    file2 = File("file2.txt", 150)
    file3 = File("file3.txt", 200)
    
    directory.add(file1)
    directory.add(file2)
    directory.add(file3)
    
    print("Initial state:")
    print(directory.display())
    
    directory.remove(file2)
    print("\nAfter removing file2.txt:")
    print(directory.display())
    
    try:
        nonexistent = File("ghost.txt", 50)
        directory.remove(nonexistent)
    except ValueError as e:
        print(f"\nRemoval error: {e}")

elif test_case == "recursive_search_test":
    root_dir = Directory("root")
    subdir1 = Directory("subdir1")
    subdir2 = Directory("subdir2")
    
    file1 = File("target.txt", 100)
    file2 = File("other.txt", 150)
    file3 = File("deep.txt", 200)
    
    root_dir.add(subdir1)
    subdir1.add(subdir2)
    subdir1.add(file1)
    subdir2.add(file3)
    root_dir.add(file2)
    
    # Search for existing files
    found1 = root_dir.find_component_recursive("target.txt")
    found2 = root_dir.find_component_recursive("deep.txt")
    not_found = root_dir.find_component_recursive("missing.txt")
    
    print(f"Found target.txt: {found1.name if found1 else 'Not found'}")
    print(f"Found deep.txt: {found2.name if found2 else 'Not found'}")
    print(f"Found missing.txt: {not_found.name if not_found else 'Not found'}")

elif test_case == "size_calculation_test":
    fs = FileSystem()
    
    # Create complex structure
    docs = Directory("Documents")
    images = Directory("Images")
    
    fs.add_to_path("/", docs)
    fs.add_to_path("/", images)
    
    # Add files with known sizes
    doc1 = File("doc1.txt", 100)
    doc2 = File("doc2.txt", 200)
    img1 = File("img1.jpg", 500)
    img2 = File("img2.png", 300)
    
    fs.add_to_path("/Documents", doc1)
    fs.add_to_path("/Documents", doc2)
    fs.add_to_path("/Images", img1)
    fs.add_to_path("/Images", img2)
    
    # Calculate sizes
    docs_size = fs.get_from_path("/Documents").get_size()
    images_size = fs.get_from_path("/Images").get_size()
    total_size = fs.get_total_size()
    
    print(f"Documents size: {docs_size} KB")
    print(f"Images size: {images_size} KB")
    print(f"Total size: {total_size} KB")
    print(f"Sum verification: {docs_size + images_size == total_size}")

elif test_case == "display_formatting_test":
    root = Directory("root")
    level1 = Directory("level1")
    level2 = Directory("level2")
    
    file1 = File("root_file.txt", 100)
    file2 = File("level1_file.txt", 200)
    file3 = File("level2_file.txt", 300)
    
    root.add(file1)
    root.add(level1)
    level1.add(file2)
    level1.add(level2)
    level2.add(file3)
    
    print("Formatted directory structure:")
    print(root.display())

elif test_case == "file_system_path_test":
    fs = FileSystem()
    
    try:
        # Create structure
        fs.add_to_path("/", Directory("home"))
        fs.add_to_path("/home", Directory("user"))
        fs.add_to_path("/home/user", File("profile.txt", 150))
        
        # Test retrieval
        user_dir = fs.get_from_path("/home/user")
        profile = fs.get_from_path("/home/user/profile.txt")
        
        print(f"User directory: {user_dir.name}")
        print(f"Profile file: {profile.name}")
        
        # Test removal
        fs.remove_from_path("/home/user/profile.txt")
        print("Profile removed successfully")
        
        # Try to access removed file
        try:
            fs.get_from_path("/home/user/profile.txt")
        except ValueError as e:
            print(f"Expected error accessing removed file: {e}")
            
    except ValueError as e:
        print(f"Path operation error: {e}")

elif test_case == "empty_directory_test":
    empty_dir = Directory("Empty")
    
    print(f"Empty directory size: {empty_dir.get_size()} KB")
    print("Empty directory display:")
    print(empty_dir.display())
    
    result = empty_dir.get_component("nonexistent")
    print(f"Get nonexistent component: {result}")

elif test_case == "name_property_test":
    file = File("original.txt", 100)
    directory = Directory("OriginalDir")
    
    print(f"Original file name: {file.name}")
    print(f"Original directory name: {directory.name}")
    
    # Test setting valid names
    file.name = "renamed.txt"
    directory.name = "RenamedDir"
    
    print(f"Renamed file: {file.name}")
    print(f"Renamed directory: {directory.name}")
    
    # Test setting empty name
    try:
        file.name = ""
        print("Empty name validation failed")
    except ValueError as e:
        print(f"Empty name error: {e}")

elif test_case == "large_file_system_test":
    fs = FileSystem()
    
    # Create multiple directories and files
    directories = ["Documents", "Images", "Videos", "Music"]
    file_counts = [5, 3, 2, 4]
    base_sizes = [100, 500, 1000, 200]
    
    total_files = 0
    total_directories = len(directories)
    
    for i, dir_name in enumerate(directories):
        fs.add_to_path("/", Directory(dir_name))
        
        for j in range(file_counts[i]):
            file_name = f"file_{j+1}.ext"
            file_size = base_sizes[i] + (j * 50)
            fs.add_to_path(f"/{dir_name}", File(file_name, file_size))
            total_files += 1
    
    print(f"Created {total_directories} directories")
    print(f"Created {total_files} files")
    print(f"Total system size: {fs.get_total_size()} KB")
    print("\nSystem structure:")
    print(fs.display())

elif test_case == "edge_cases_test":
    # Test file with size 0
    zero_file = File("empty.txt", 0)
    print(f"Zero size file: {zero_file.get_size()} KB")
    
    # Test directory with very long name
    long_name = "A" * 100
    long_dir = Directory(long_name)
    print(f"Long directory name length: {len(long_dir.name)}")
    
    # Test deeply nested structure
    current = Directory("level0")
    root = current
    
    for i in range(1, 6):
        next_level = Directory(f"level{i}")
        current.add(next_level)
        current = next_level
    
    # Add file at deepest level
    deep_file = File("deep.txt", 100)
    current.add(deep_file)
    
    print("Deep nesting test:")
    print(root.display())
    
    # Test operations on empty structures
    empty = Directory("Empty")
    try:
        empty.remove(File("ghost.txt", 50))
    except ValueError as e:
        print(f"Empty structure removal error: {e}")