What is the Bridge design pattern and when should it be used?

The Bridge design pattern is a structural design pattern that decouples an abstraction from its implementation, allowing them to vary independently. It is used when there is a need to separate an abstraction from its implementation so that both can be modified independently without affecting each other.

The Bridge pattern is particularly useful in the following scenarios:

1. When there is a need to decouple an abstraction from its implementation, allowing them to evolve independently. This is especially useful when there are multiple implementations of an abstraction and the client code should be able to switch between them dynamically.

2. When there is a need to hide the implementation details of an abstraction from the client code. The Bridge pattern allows the client code to interact with the abstraction through a simplified interface, without being aware of the underlying implementation.

3. When there is a need to extend or add new functionality to an existing abstraction or implementation hierarchy. The Bridge pattern allows new abstractions and implementations to be added without modifying the existing code, making it easier to maintain and extend the system.

Overall, the Bridge design pattern promotes loose coupling between abstractions and implementations, providing flexibility, extensibility, and maintainability to the software system.