SoftwareQuality/jabref/docs/decisions/0016-mutable-preferences-objects.md

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Decision Records	16

Mutable preferences objects

Context and Problem Statement

To create an immutable preferences object every time seems to be a waste of time and computer memory.

Considered Options

• Alter the existing object and return it (by a with* -method, similar to a builder, but changing the object at hand).
• Create a new object every time a preferences object should be altered.

Decision Outcome

Chosen option: "Alter the exiting object", because the preferences objects are just wrappers around the basic preferences framework of JDK. They should be mutable on-the-fly similar to objects with a Builder inside and to be stored immediately again in the preferences.