Helper class

In object-oriented programming, a helper class is used to assist in providing some functionality, which isn't the main goal of the application or class in which it is used.[1][2] An instance of a helper class is called a helper object (for example, in the delegation pattern).

Helper classes are often created in introductory programming lessons, after the novice programmer has moved beyond creating one or two classes.

A utility class is a special case of a helper class in which the methods are all static.[3] In general, helper classes do not have to have all static methods, but may have instance variables. Multiple instances of the helper class may exist as well.

Example

This is also an example of a utility class. Below are extension methods on the string object. 

public static class PrependHelper
{
    // static functions
    public static string MeowPrepend(this string text)
    {
        return $"Meow meow {text}!";
    }

    public static string WoofPrepend(this string text)
    {
        return $"Woof woof {text}!";
    }

    public static string WoohPrepend(this string text)
    {
        return $"Wooh {text}!";
    }
}

Alternative to helper class

Functions which are going to be helper classes could be placed close to where they are used. The other alternative is wrapping helper class parameters into a class as a field. That class can have a name from the business domain connected to the fields it has. The example below shows how to convert helper methods to methods on domain types: 

public class Text
{
    string text;

    public string MeowPrepend()
    {
        return $"Meow meow {text}!";
    }

    public string WoofPrepend()
    {
        return $"Woof woof {text}!";
    }

    public string WoohPrepend()
    {
        return $"Wooh {text}!";
    }
}

References

  1. ^ Tee, Sim Hui (2009-12-03). "Eliminating method redundancy for the improvement of inner class design". ACM SIGSOFT Software Engineering Notes. 34 (6): 1–3. doi:10.1145/1640162.1640174. ISSN 0163-5948.
  2. ^ "What is a helper? Is it a design pattern? Is it an algorithm?". Software Engineering Stack Exchange. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  3. ^ "Java Helper vs. Utility Classes | Baeldung". Baeldung. April 28, 2023. Retrieved October 31, 2023.

See also