Question: Any method that creates a new object and returns that object can be thought of as a "factory" method. However, the use of such a method does not necessarily mean that the Factory Method pattern is appropriate.
a. Give an example of a situation where such a factory method is useful outside of the Factory Method pattern.
b. Write a brief summary of other factory patterns, such as the Abstract Factory pattern [1], and explain how they differ from the Factory Method pattern.