Singleton Pattern: Structure and Implementation Strategies

Core Structure:
The Singleton Pattern involves a single class that manages its own unique instance. The structure consists of three key elements: private constructor, private static instance variable, and public static accessor method.
Singleton
- instance: Singleton (static)
- data: ConfigData
- Singleton() [private constructor]
+ getInstance(): Singleton (static)
+ getData(): ConfigData
+ setData(data: ConfigData): void
Three Implementation Strategies:
First: Eager Initialization
The instance is created at class loading time, before any thread accesses it.

class Singleton:
  instance = new Singleton()  // created immediately
  
  private Singleton():
    // initialization code
  
  public static getInstance():
    return instance
Trade-off: Simple and thread-safe by default, but creates instance even if never used (wastes resources). Appropriate when the instance is lightweight and always needed.

Second: Lazy Initialization
The instance is created only when first requested via getInstance().

class Singleton:
  instance = null  // not created yet
  
  private Singleton():
    // initialization code
  
  public static getInstance():
    if instance is null:
      instance = new Singleton()
    return instance
Trade-off: Saves memory if never used, but requires thread-safety mechanisms (locking) in multi-threaded environments, which adds complexity.

Third: Double-Checked Locking (Lazy with Thread Safety)
Combines lazy initialization with minimal locking overhead.

class Singleton:
  instance = null  // volatile/synchronized
  
  public static getInstance():
    if instance is null:  // first check (no lock)
      lock():
        if instance is null:  // second check (with lock)
          instance = new Singleton()
    return instance
Trade-off: Optimizes performance by avoiding lock contention after initialization, but implementation is subtle and error-prone if not done correctly.
Interview Tip: Be prepared to discuss thread safety. Interviewers often ask how you handle concurrent access to getInstance() in multi-threaded environments.
Critical Design Decision:
The private constructor prevents external instantiation. Subclassing is also prevented because subclasses cannot call the private constructor. If subclassing is needed, consider using the Factory Pattern instead.

💡 Key Takeaways

✓Private constructor prevents external instantiation

✓Static instance variable holds the single instance

✓Static getInstance() method provides global access point

✓Eager initialization creates instance at class load time

✓Lazy initialization defers creation until first access

✓Double-checked locking optimizes thread-safe lazy initialization

📌 Examples

1Eager: DatabaseConnectionPool initialized at startup

2Lazy: HeavyResourceManager created only when needed

3Double-checked: ThreadSafeLogger with minimal locking overhead

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