is used to choose and return an instance of a class from a number of similar classes based on data you provide to the factory.
The Abstract Factory Pattern
is used to return one of several groups of classes. In some cases it actually returns a Factory for that group of classes.
The Builder Pattern
assembles a number of objects to make a new object, based on the data with which it is presented. Frequently, the choice of which way the objects are assembled is achieved using a Factory.
The Prototype Pattern
copies or clones an existing class rather than creating a new instance when creating new instances is more expensive.
The Singleton Pattern
is a pattern that insures there is one and only one instance of an object, and that it is possible to obtain global access to that one instance.