In software development, the proxy pattern is a common design pattern that allows access to other objects to be controlled through proxy objects. Dynamic proxy and static proxy are the two main implementations of the proxy pattern. 

This article will explore the difference between the two proxy patterns in depth and compare them with LunaProxy as an example to help readers better understand and choose the proxy method suitable for their projects.

What is the proxy pattern?

The proxy pattern is a structural design pattern used to control access to other objects through proxy objects. In the proxy pattern, the client accesses the target object through the proxy object. The proxy object acts as an intermediary between the client and the target object, and can perform some additional controls during access, such as permission verification, logging, etc.

Static proxy

Static proxy is a proxy pattern in which the proxy relationship is determined at compile time. In a static proxy, the proxy class and the target class need to implement the same interface or inherit the same parent class. Each specific proxy class can only provide proxy services for a specific target class.

LunaProxy's static proxy implementation

As a network security and access management tool, LunaProxy uses static proxy to manage and control network requests. The advantage of static proxy is that it has a clear structure and is easy to understand and implement. But the disadvantage is that each additional service requires manual writing of proxy classes, which is cumbersome to maintain.

Dynamic proxy

Dynamic proxy is a proxy mode that dynamically generates proxy classes at runtime. Compared with static proxy, dynamic proxy does not need to write a separate proxy class for each proxied class, but dynamically generates proxy classes and their objects through Java reflection mechanism to achieve proxy for the target class.

LunaProxy's dynamic proxy implementation

Through dynamic proxy technology, LunaProxy can implement proxy processing for multiple interfaces and provide unified access control and security management. The advantage of dynamic proxy is that it reduces the writing of duplicate code and improves the flexibility and maintainability of the code. Through dynamic proxy, new functions and extensions can be added to the system without modifying the existing code.

Comparison between dynamic proxy and static proxy

Differences and advantages and disadvantages

Implementation method:

Static proxy has determined the relationship between the proxy class and the target class at compile time, with a simple structure but lack of flexibility.

Dynamic proxy generates proxy classes at runtime and dynamically processes method calls of the proxied class through reflection mechanism, with high flexibility but high complexity.

Applicable scenarios:

Static proxy is suitable for fixed, simple structure and no need for expansion scenarios, such as fixed-function proxy such as logging and permission control.

Dynamic proxy is suitable for scenarios with diverse interfaces, dynamic expansion and high flexibility requirements, such as AOP (aspect-oriented programming) implementation, unified permission verification, etc.

Extensibility:

Static proxy increases the amount of code and maintenance cost because it needs to write proxy classes for each target class.

Dynamic proxy reduces the amount of code and improves the flexibility and maintainability of the system by dynamically generating proxy classes.

LunaProxy selection suggestion

For products like LunaProxy, choosing dynamic proxy or static proxy depends on the specific needs and characteristics of the project:

Static proxy is suitable for fixed and simple structure functional modules in LunaProxy, such as basic access control and logging. Static proxy can clarify the access rights and operation logs of each service to ensure the stability and security of the system.

Dynamic proxy is suitable for functions in LunaProxy that require dynamic expansion and flexible configuration, such as dynamic permission verification, complex business logic processing, etc. Dynamic proxy can achieve unified management and control, reducing the complexity of writing duplicate code and system modification.

Conclusion

Through the analysis of this article, we deeply explore the differences, advantages and disadvantages of the two proxy modes of dynamic proxy and static proxy, and use LunaProxy as an example for specific application and comparison. 

In actual projects, the choice of appropriate proxy mode depends on the needs and characteristics of the project. Static proxy is suitable for fixed and simple structure scenarios, while dynamic proxy is suitable for dynamic expansion and flexible configuration needs.

By reasonably selecting and applying proxy modes, the scalability and maintainability of the system can be improved, and better software design and development effects can be achieved.