1. What is the Proxy Pattern and how does it work in software development?

The Proxy Pattern is a structural design pattern in software development that creates a placeholder or surrogate object for another object. This proxy object acts as an intermediary between the client and the real object, providing some additional functionality, such as controlling access to the real object or performing additional operations before or after accessing it.

The Proxy Pattern works by creating a class that has the same interface as the underlying object it represents. When the client wants to interact with this underlying object, it communicates with the proxy instead. The proxy then handles the request and forwards it to the real object, allowing for added functionality or control. This can be used to e.g. limit access to sensitive objects or provide caching of frequently used objects.

Overall, the Proxy Pattern helps improve performance, security, and maintainability in software development by abstracting away complex or expensive operations and allowing for more controlled access to objects.

2. How does the Proxy Pattern help improve code efficiency, performance, and security?

Code efficiency:
The Proxy Pattern can improve code efficiency by reducing the number of requests to a remote object or resource. Instead of creating multiple instances of the remote object, the proxy handles these requests and only creates an instance when it is necessary.

Performance:
The Proxy Pattern can improve performance by caching results and reducing network traffic. If the same request is made multiple times, the proxy can return the cached result instead of making a new request to the remote object.

Security:
The Proxy Pattern can also improve security by acting as a filter between the client and the actual object. The proxy can perform authentication, authorization, and access control before allowing clients to access sensitive objects or resources. It can also be used to implement firewalls or other security measures to restrict access to certain resources.

3. Can you give an example of a real-world scenario where the Proxy Pattern is useful?

A common real-world scenario where the Proxy Pattern is useful is in online banking systems. In these systems, users typically have access to a multitude of transactions and sensitive information, making it crucial to ensure their security and privacy.

In this scenario, the bank may use a proxy object as an extra layer of security between the user and the actual bank account system. The proxy can handle authentication and authorization processes, ensuring that only authorized users have access to their accounts.

Additionally, the proxy can also log user activities and identify any suspicious behavior or unauthorized access attempts. This information can be used to implement further security measures such as blocking accounts or prompting for additional verification.

Furthermore, proxies in online banking systems can also help with caching data from frequently accessed pages and reducing server load times. This improves the overall performance of the application and enhances the user experience.

Overall, using a proxy in this scenario helps to improve security, enhance performance, and provide better control over user access to sensitive information.

4. What are the main roles and responsibilities of a proxy object in the Proxy Pattern?

1. Acts as a stand-in or surrogate for the real object: The proxy object is responsible for representing and imitating the behavior of the real object, allowing it to be accessed through the proxy rather than directly.

2. Controls access to the real object: The proxy object often acts as a gatekeeper or intermediary, controlling access to the real object by implementing its own rules and restrictions.

3. Hides or masks complexity: In some cases, the real object may be complex or resource-intensive. The proxy can help abstract away this complexity and provide a simpler interface for clients to interact with.

4. Implements lazy loading: A proxy can also implement lazy loading, meaning that it only loads the real object when needed, conserving system resources and improving performance.

5. Handles communication with remote objects: A special type of proxy called “remote proxy” can be used to facilitate communication with remote objects over a network.

6. Caches information: Some proxies may cache information from previous calls to the real object in order to improve performance and reduce network traffic.

7. Logs requests: Proxies can also log requests made by clients to the real object for debugging purposes or tracking usage statistics.

8. Implements additional functionality: Proxies can add additional functionality or behaviors to the real object without changing its code, providing more control and flexibility.

9. Manages security and permissions: In situations where access to certain operations on the real object needs to be restricted, proxies can handle security and authentication checks before allowing access.

10. Serves as an abstraction layer: By separating clients from direct access to the real objects, proxies create an abstraction layer that allows for easier maintenance and updates of underlying objects without affecting client code.

5. How does the Proxy Pattern relate to other design patterns such as Decorator or Adapter Patterns?

The Proxy Pattern is often used in conjunction with the Decorator Pattern, as both patterns involve wrapping an existing object and providing extra functionality while maintaining the same interface. The difference between the two is that a proxy controls access to the underlying object, while a decorator adds functionality to it.

The Adapter Pattern can also be used in conjunction with the Proxy Pattern, as adapters are often used to convert one interface into another. In this case, a proxy can act as an adapter by providing a simplified interface for the underlying object or by converting requests into a different format before passing them on.

Overall, these design patterns complement each other and can be combined to provide more complex and flexible solutions. For example, a proxy may use both adapter and decorator objects to fulfill its responsibilities and provide added functionality.

6. What are some potential drawbacks or limitations of using the Proxy Pattern in software development?

1. Increased complexity: Using the Proxy Pattern can make a software system more complex, as it adds an additional layer between the client and the actual object. This may make the code harder to understand and maintain.

2. Performance overhead: The use of proxy objects can introduce a performance overhead, especially in cases where frequent calls are made to the real object through the proxy.

3. Limited functionality: Depending on how it is implemented, a proxy may not support all the methods and operations that the actual object does. This can limit its functionality and restrict what actions can be performed through the proxy.

4. Difficulty in debugging: Debugging code that uses proxies can be challenging because it requires tracing calls through different layers of abstraction.

5. Complex error handling: As proxies introduce an additional layer, handling errors or exceptions can become more complicated, making it harder for developers to handle unexpected situations.

6. Dependency on interface changes: If there are any changes in the interface of the actual object, these changes must also be reflected in the proxy class. This dependency on interface changes can increase maintenance efforts and potentially introduce bugs if not done correctly.

7. Incompatible with some design patterns: The Proxy Pattern may not be compatible with certain design patterns like Observer or Visitor as they rely on direct access to objects rather than going through a proxy.

8. Security concerns: Proxies can also introduce potential security risks as they act as an intermediary between clients and objects, creating opportunities for malicious attacks or unauthorized access to sensitive data.

9. Potential misuse: If not used carefully, proxies can lead to incorrect implementation and misuse in code, which may cause unforeseen bugs and issues in a software system.

10 . Potential overuse: There is a risk of overusing proxies in a software system which could result in unnecessary complexity and defeat their purpose of providing simplicity and increased performance.

7. Can you explain how lazy loading can be implemented using the Proxy Pattern?

Lazy loading is a design pattern where an object or resource is only loaded and initialized when it is needed, rather than loading it all at once. This helps in improving the performance of an application, by reducing the amount of resources that need to be loaded at once.

The Proxy pattern can be used to implement lazy loading in an application. In this approach, a proxy object is created which acts as a placeholder for the actual object. When the client requests for the object, the proxy checks if it has been already loaded and if not, then it loads the actual object. Once the actual object is loaded, all further requests are forwarded directly to it.

Here’s how lazy loading can be implemented using the Proxy pattern:

1. Create an interface or abstract class that represents the actual object and define all its methods.
2. Create a concrete implementation of this interface/abstract class, which will represent the actual object.
3. Create a proxy class that implements the same interface/abstract class as the actual object.
4. Inside this proxy class, declare a private reference variable of type ActualObject (the concrete implementation from step 2).
5. Implement all methods of the interface/abstract class in this proxy class by first checking if the reference variable for ActualObject has been initialized or not.
6. If not initialized, then initialize it and call its respective method.
7. Return the result obtained from ActualObject to the client.
8. For all further requests to this proxy class, simply call corresponding methods on ActualObject without any additional initialization.

This way, every time a method on Proxy class is called by client code, it first checks if its internal ActualObject has been initialized; and only initializes it if necessary.

Note: In some cases where there are multiple methods that could potentially be called before initializing ActualObject (and some of these methods also depend on each other), using another pattern like Virtual Proxy may result in better performance. In this case, instead of creating an instance immediately inside the proxy class; we can create a secondary internal virtual proxy object that in-turn initializes ActualObject only when it needs to.

8. In what situations would you recommend using the Proxy Pattern and when would it not be suitable?

The Proxy Pattern is used to control access to an object. It can be used in situations where the actual object is expensive to create or maintain, and it acts as a representation for the real object. Here are some situations where using the Proxy Pattern would be suitable:

1. Remote Proxy: When the real object exists on a remote server, and we want to access it through a local proxy.

2. Virtual Proxy: When creating an expensive object is not necessary at initialization but only when it’s needed.

3. Protection Proxy: When we want to add additional security checks before allowing access to the real object.

4. Caching Proxy: To cache frequently used data for improved performance.

5. Smart Reference Proxy: To control how the objects are accessed, allowing for additional actions such as counting the number of times an object has been referenced.

6. Logging/Tracing/Profiling Proxy: To keep track of how many times an object has been accessed and when it was accessed.

On the other hand, there are also situations where using the Proxy Pattern may not be suitable:

1. If there is no need for additional functionality or security checks when accessing objects, then using a proxy may add unnecessary complexity to the code.

2. When working with simple objects that do not require any additional functionality or security checks, using a proxy may be overkill.

3. If performance is crucial and adding a proxy will only slow down access to objects, then it may not be suitable for use in that situation.

In summary, it is best to use the Proxy Pattern in situations where additional functionality or security checks are required when accessing objects, but should not be used unless there is a specific need for its added features and benefits.

9. How can the use of a cache with a proxy object improve system performance?

Using a cache with a proxy object can improve system performance by reducing the number of requests that need to be sent to the server. When a request is made through the proxy object, it first checks if the response for that request is already stored in the cache. If it is, then the response can be retrieved from the cache instead of making another request to the server. This reduces network traffic and decreases latency, resulting in faster response times and improved overall system performance. Additionally, caching allows frequently accessed data to be stored locally, reducing the need for frequent network requests and improving overall system efficiency.

10. Can you discuss any potential security concerns related to implementing a proxy object in an application?

There are a few potential security concerns that need to be considered when implementing a proxy object in an application:

1. Authentication and Authorization: One of the main concerns is ensuring that only authorized clients can access and use the proxy object. This requires implementing strong authentication mechanisms such as username/password authentication or using client certificates.

2. Protecting Sensitive Data: If the proxy object is responsible for handling sensitive data, it’s crucial to ensure that appropriate measures are in place to protect that data. This may include encryption, secure storage, and proper access controls.

3. Network Security: The network communication between the client and the proxy also needs to be secure. This means using protocols such as HTTPS or TLS to encrypt data in transit and prevent unauthorized access.

4. Malicious Clients: Proxy objects are vulnerable to malicious clients that may try to manipulate the data or send harmful requests. To mitigate this risk, robust validation and sanitization techniques should be implemented on both ends of the communication channel.

5. Denial of Service (DoS) Attacks: A DoS attack occurs when a server is flooded with a large number of requests, causing it to crash or become unresponsive. Proxy objects can help mitigate this risk by rate-limiting requests from clients and blocking suspicious traffic.

6. Injection Attacks: If user input is passed through the proxy object as part of processing requests, there is a risk of injection attacks such as SQL injection or cross-site scripting (XSS). To prevent these attacks, proper input validation and parameterization should be implemented.

7. Proxy Vulnerabilities: Like any other software component, proxy objects can have security vulnerabilities that can be exploited by attackers. It’s essential to keep them up-to-date and regularly perform security audits to identify and fix any known vulnerabilities.

8. Trustworthiness of Proxy Providers: In some cases, organizations may use third-party providers for their proxy services instead of developing their own solution. In such cases, it’s crucial to evaluate the trustworthiness and security practices of the provider before entrusting them with sensitive data.

9. Monitoring and Logging: To detect and respond to any potential security incidents or breaches, proper monitoring and logging mechanisms should be in place for the proxy object. This will help identify any unusual activity and take appropriate action.

10. Compliance Requirements: Depending on the type of data that passes through the proxy object, there may be regulatory or compliance requirements that need to be followed. It’s important to understand these requirements and ensure that the proxy implementation meets them to avoid any legal or regulatory issues.

11. How does dynamic proxy generation work and what are its benefits in software development?

Dynamic proxy generation is a technique used in software development to create proxy objects at runtime, without the need for manually writing code. A proxy object is an object that acts as an intermediary between a client and a real object, allowing for additional behavior to be added before or after the execution of the method on the real object.

There are several benefits to using dynamic proxy generation in software development, including:

1. Simplifying complex code – Writing a custom proxy class for each object can be cumbersome and repetitive. Dynamic proxies allow developers to focus on the core logic and delegate the cross-cutting concerns (such as logging, security checks, etc.) to specialized classes.

2. Code reusability – Since dynamic proxies can be applied to multiple objects, their implementation can be reused for different classes with similar functionality requirements.

3. Runtime flexibility – Dynamic proxies allow new behaviors to be added to an existing system at runtime without modifying the original code. This can be useful when implementing cross-cutting concerns in large and complex systems.

4. Separation of concerns – By separating the core logic of an object from its cross-cutting concerns, dynamic proxies promote cleaner and more maintainable code by keeping these separate concerns segregated.

5. Performance optimization – In cases where certain methods do not require additional actions from a proxy, they can be called directly on the target object instead of going through the intermediary proxy class. This improves performance by reducing overhead.

6. Easy implementation of AOP (Aspect Oriented Programming) – Dynamic proxy generation is often used in AOP frameworks to add additional functionality (aspects) such as logging or caching to methods without changing their core logic.

Overall, dynamic proxy generation allows for more flexible and maintainable code by enabling developers to easily add additional functionality at runtime without having to modify existing code.

12. What are some alternatives to using the Proxy Pattern for implementing client-server communication in an application?

1. Observer Pattern: The observer pattern allows objects to be notified when there are changes made to the server, eliminating the need for direct communication between the client and server. This promotes a non-intrusive approach and ensures that the client does not need to be aware of the server’s existence.

2. Remote Method Invocation (RMI): RMI supports remote procedure calls, allowing a method to be executed on one computer while being referenced by another. This simplifies client-server communication by abstracting away network protocols and data serialization.

3. Publish-Subscribe Model: In this model, clients publish requests or events to a central broker, which then distributes them to interested parties. This promotes loose coupling between the client and server, as well as scalability as more clients can be added without affecting performance.

4. RESTful APIs: Representational State Transfer (REST) is a popular web services architecture that follows stateless connections between clients and servers. It utilizes HTTP methods like GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE for accessing resources on the server, making it a lightweight alternative to more complex communication patterns.

5. WebSockets: WebSockets allow for full-duplex communication between a client and server over a single TCP connection. This enables real-time bidirectional data transfer without the need for constant HTTP requests/responses.

6. GraphQL: GraphQL is an alternative protocol for building APIs that allows clients to request only the specific data they need from the server in a structured query language format. This reduces network overhead and improves performance for client-server communication.

7. Socket programming: Low-level socket programming using languages like Java or C++ allows direct communication between clients and servers at the network level without any intermediary patterns or protocols.

8. Messaging queues: Applications can use messaging queues like Apache Kafka or RabbitMQ as an intermediary layer between clients and servers for asynchronous communication with high scalability and reliability.

13. Can you discuss any design considerations to keep in mind when using a proxy object in a distributed system environment?

Some design considerations for using a proxy object in a distributed system environment are:

1. Resource Management: Careful resource management is necessary when using proxy objects as they act as an intermediary between the client and the actual service. The proxy should efficiently utilize resources such as network bandwidth, memory, and processing power to avoid any bottlenecks.

2. Security: Since proxy objects act on behalf of the client, it is crucial to implement proper security measures. This includes implementing authentication and authorization mechanisms to ensure that only authorized clients can access the service through the proxy.

3. Fault Tolerance: Distributed systems are prone to failures and downtimes due to network or hardware issues. A robust fault-tolerant mechanism should be implemented in the design of proxies to handle unexpected errors and maintain uninterrupted service.

4. Scalability: Distributed systems often handle large volumes of data and user requests, which may require scaling up or down based on demand. Proxy objects should be designed with scalability in mind so that they can handle increasing load without affecting performance.

5. Data Caching: Proxies can implement data caching techniques to improve performance by storing frequently accessed data locally instead of making repeated calls to the actual service. This reduces network traffic and speeds up response times.

6. Load Balancing: In distributed systems with multiple instances of a service running, proxies can use load-balancing algorithms to distribute client requests across these instances evenly. This helps in efficient utilization of resources and avoids overloading specific nodes.

7. Protocol Conversion: In a heterogeneous distributed environment where different services may use different communication protocols, proxies can perform protocol conversions to enable communication between different components.

8. Monitoring and Logging: Proxies should have built-in monitoring capabilities to keep track of their performance and identify any potential issues that need attention. Logging also helps in tracking client requests, identifying errors, and debugging problems if they arise.

9. Compatibility with Different Client Technologies: Clients may use different technologies, such as programming languages or communication protocols, to communicate with the proxy. A well-designed proxy should be compatible with multiple client technologies to provide flexibility and support interoperability.

10. Fallback Mechanisms: In case of failures in the proxy or communication channels, fallback mechanisms should be in place to ensure that clients can still access the service without any disruption. This can include using alternative proxies or rerouting requests to other available instances of the service.

14. What techniques or tools can be used to test and debug applications that use the Proxy Pattern?

1. Unit Testing: Developers can use unit testing frameworks like JUnit or NUnit to test the individual components of the application that use the Proxy Pattern.

2. Logging and Debugging: Developers can use logging tools like log4j or Debugging tools like Visual Studio Debugger to track and debug any errors in the application code.

3. Code Reviews: Peer code reviews can be helpful in identifying potential issues with the implementation of the Proxy Pattern in an application.

4. Profiling Tools: Profilers such as Java Flight Recorder, VisualVM, or YourKit can analyze the performance of your application using the Proxy Pattern and identify any bottlenecks or memory leaks.

5. Integration Testing: Testers can conduct integration testing to ensure that all components of the system work together seamlessly when using the Proxy Pattern.

6. Mocking Frameworks: Mocking frameworks such as Mockito or EasyMock can be used to simulate different scenarios and verify if the proxy class behaves correctly.

7. Fuzz Testing: This technique involves providing invalid, unexpected, or random input values to an application to find vulnerabilities and errors in its behavior when using the Proxy pattern.

8. Manual Testing: Manual testing by human testers is still an essential part of any software development process, including testing applications that use the Proxy Pattern.

9. Stress Testing: Stress testing involves putting a high load on an application to test its behavior when under heavy usage, which can help detect bugs or performance issues related to using proxies.

10. Debug Proxies Directly: In some cases, it may be necessary to debug proxies directly using IDEs or browser plugins that support proxy debugging features.

11. Stack Traces and Error Logs: Whenever an error occurs, looking at stack traces and error logs can provide valuable information about where things went wrong and how to fix them when using a proxy pattern.

12. Code Reviews with Peers : A thorough code review with peers is always an effective way to identify any potential issues or improvements that could be made with the proxy pattern implementation.

13. Test Automation: Automated testing can help catch errors quickly and ensure code changes do not break existing functionality when integrating the Proxy Pattern into an application.

14. Use Multiple Browsers and Devices: Testing the application with different browsers and devices can uncover any compatibility or functionality issues related to proxy usage.

15. How does the concept of remote objects tie into the use of proxies in distributed systems?

The concept of remote objects is closely related to the use of proxies in distributed systems. A proxy is a local object that provides an interface to interact with a remote object, which resides on a different machine or in a different process. The proxy acts as a representative for the remote object and handles all the communication and interaction between the local application and the remote object.

In other words, when using distributed systems, developers often create an abstraction layer in the form of proxies, to shield clients from low-level networking details. This allows clients to interact with the remote object as if it were a local object, making it easier to develop complex distributed systems.

The use of proxies facilitates transparency in distributed systems, where users do not need to know about the location or implementation details of remote objects. They can simply perform operations on the proxy object without knowing that they are actually interacting with a remote object.

Furthermore, using proxies also helps improve performance in distributed systems by incorporating mechanisms like lazy loading or caching data from remote objects. This reduces network overhead and improves response time for subsequent requests.

Overall, the concept of remote objects and their interaction through proxies plays a critical role in creating robust and efficient distributed systems.

16. Can you give an example of how virtual proxies can be used to optimize memory usage in an application with large data sets?

Sure, let’s say we have an application that processes large images and stores them in memory for future use. These images can take up a significant amount of memory space, making our application run slower and potentially causing issues with limited memory resources.

To address this, we can use virtual proxies to handle our image data. Instead of loading the entire image into memory when the application starts, we can create a proxy object that only contains the necessary information about the image such as its size, format, and location. This saves us from loading the entire image into memory until it is actually needed.

Then, when a user requests to view or manipulate an image, the virtual proxy object will act as a placeholder and load the full image data only at that moment. Once the operation is complete, the proxy object can release the data from memory and return to its original state.

This approach optimizes memory usage by only loading data as needed and releasing it after use. It also allows us to work with large data sets without overwhelming our system resources or causing performance issues due to high memory usage.

17. Are there any best practices for naming conventions when defining proxy classes and interfaces?

Yes, there are some general best practices for naming conventions when defining proxy classes and interfaces:

1. Use descriptive and meaningful names: The names of your proxy classes and interfaces should clearly indicate their purpose and functionality. Avoid using generic or obscure names that make it difficult to understand their purpose.

2. Follow a consistent naming pattern: Consistency is key in naming conventions. It helps to maintain a clear and organized codebase, making it easier for other developers to understand your code.

3. Use camelCase for class names: In most programming languages, the convention is to use camelCase format for class names. This means that the first letter of each word in the name is capitalized except for the first word.

4. Use PascalCase for interface names: Interfaces typically follow a PascalCase naming convention, which means that all words in the name are capitalized.

5. Choose intuitive and relevant prefixes or suffixes: Adding prefixes or suffixes can help differentiate between different types of proxies or proxy implementations. For example, you can use “Proxy” as a suffix for your proxy classes, such as “SomeClassProxy.”

6. Consider using a common prefix or namespace: If you’re building a library or framework with multiple proxy classes and interfaces, it’s helpful to use a common prefix or namespace to group them together.

7. Keep it concise and avoid long names: While descriptive names are important, it’s still important to keep them concise and avoid overly long names that become cumbersome to type and read.

8. Avoid using abbreviations or acronyms unless commonly understood: Using abbreviations or acronyms can make your code harder to understand for other developers who may not be familiar with them.

9. Be mindful of naming conflicts: When working on a project with multiple developers, make sure to discuss naming conventions upfront so everyone follows the same guidelines and avoids naming conflicts.

10. Document your naming conventions: Finally, make sure to document your naming conventions in your project’s style guide so that anyone working on the project can easily refer to it and maintain consistency.

18. How does caching affect proxies and their functionality within a system architecture?

Caching can greatly improve the performance of proxies within a system architecture by reducing the need to make repeated requests to the origin server. When a proxy receives a request from a client, it can check if the requested resource is already stored in its cache. If it is, the proxy can immediately serve the content from its cache without needing to forward the request to the origin server. This significantly reduces response time and network traffic.

However, caching also has some potential drawbacks for proxies. If cached content becomes outdated or incorrect, it can cause errors when served to clients. This may require manual intervention to clear out the cache and refresh the content from the origin server. Additionally, if multiple clients are accessing cached content simultaneously, it may result in inconsistent or inaccurate data being served.

Overall, caching plays an important role in maintaining efficient and fast communication between clients and servers through proxies. By balancing careful cache management with regular updates from the origin server, proxies can effectively handle requests and provide a seamless browsing experience for users.

19.You mentioned earlier about limitations, could you elaborate on those further?

Sure, limitations are factors that restrict or hinder a person from performing a certain action or reaching a desired goal. They can be physical, emotional, financial, or social in nature and may arise from external circumstances or personal traits.

Examples of limitations could include physical disabilities that prevent someone from participating in certain activities, ongoing health conditions that limit their energy or mobility, financial constraints that limit their ability to pursue certain goals or experiences, mental health issues that affect their relationships and daily functioning, environmental factors such as lack of access to resources or opportunities.

Limitations can also be internal barriers such as self-doubt, fear of failure, lack of motivation or skills. These internal limitations often stem from negative beliefs or attitudes about oneself and can significantly impact a person’s ability to achieve their goals and live up to their potential.

Overall, it is important to recognize and acknowledge our limitations so that we can find ways to work around them and overcome obstacles on our journey towards personal growth and success.

20.What are some common misconceptions about the use of proxy objects and how do they differ from traditional objects?

Some common misconceptions about the use of proxy objects are:

1. Proxies are just a way to provide access control: While proxies can be used for access control, their purpose goes beyond that. Proxies can also be used for caching, logging, and other important functions.

2. Proxies are only relevant in network communication: While it is true that proxies are commonly used in network communication, they can also be used within an application or system to interact with different components or services.

3. Proxies always slow down a system: This is not necessarily true. While proxies do add an extra layer of abstraction, well-designed and efficient proxies can actually improve the performance of a system by offloading certain tasks from the main object.

4. Proxies are not as flexible as traditional objects: This is a misconception as proxies can be dynamically modified at runtime whereas traditional objects cannot.

5. Proxies are just containers for the real object: While proxies do contain a reference to the real object, they also have their own behavior and functionality that differs from the real object.

The key difference between proxy objects and traditional objects lies in their purpose and functionality. A traditional object represents an actual entity within an application or system and its primary function is to store data and perform operations on that data. On the other hand, a proxy object acts as a placeholder for another object, providing additional features such as security checks, caching, lazy loading of data, etc., without altering the original object’s behavior or structure.

In summary, while both traditional and proxy objects have similar characteristics such as storing data and performing operations on it, proxies serve as wrappers around another object and provide additional functionalities without changing its original behavior.