The file labled as 'abstract_factory.py' isn't really an abstract factory. about python-patterns HOT 2 CLOSED

I don't see your point. Instead of picking a random class you can return the appropriate factory class based on a condition. There's no need to use interfaces or subclasses, that's more of a necessity in static languages (eg. C++, Java).

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Sorry my mistake. I think I see the example as so simplified that it isn't doesn't explain the power of the abstract factory pattern. The idea is you want to do the switching based on some unknown factors from programmer's perspective. For example, you don't know at compile time how many different types of that given type is available, like a plug-in architecture, or a library or codecs loaded from disk at run time.

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