---layout:patterntitle:Singletonfolder:singletoncategories:pattern_cattags:pattern_tag---**Intent:** Ensure a class only has one instance, and provide a global point ofaccess to it.![alt text](./etc/singleton_1.png"Singleton")**Applicability:** Use the Singleton pattern when* there must be exactly one instance of a class, and it must be accessible to clients from a well-known access point* when the sole instance should be extensible by subclassing, and clients should be able to use an extended instance without modifying their code**Typical Use Case:*** the logging class* managing a connection to a database* file manager**Real world examples:***[java.lang.Runtime#getRuntime()](http://docs.oracle.com/javase/8/docs/api/java/lang/Runtime.html#getRuntime%28%29)