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1   /**
2    * Redistribution and use of this software and associated documentation
3    * ("Software"), with or without modification, are permitted provided
4    * that the following conditions are met:
5    *
6    * 1. Redistributions of source code must retain copyright
7    *    statements and notices.  Redistributions must also contain a
8    *    copy of this document.
9    *
10   * 2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the
11   *    above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the
12   *    following disclaimer in the documentation and/or other
13   *    materials provided with the distribution.
14   *
15   * 3. The name "Exolab" must not be used to endorse or promote
16   *    products derived from this Software without prior written
17   *    permission of Intalio, Inc.  For written permission,
18   *    please contact info@exolab.org.
19   *
20   * 4. Products derived from this Software may not be called "Exolab"
21   *    nor may "Exolab" appear in their names without prior written
22   *    permission of Intalio, Inc. Exolab is a registered
23   *    trademark of Intalio, Inc.
24   *
25   * 5. Due credit should be given to the Exolab Project
26   *    (http://www.exolab.org/).
27   *
28   * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY INTALIO, INC. AND CONTRIBUTORS
29   * ``AS IS'' AND ANY EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT
30   * NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND
31   * FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED.  IN NO EVENT SHALL
32   * INTALIO, INC. OR ITS CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT,
33   * INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
34   * (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR
35   * SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION)
36   * HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT,
37   * STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE)
38   * ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED
39   * OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
40   *
41   * Copyright 1999 (C) Intalio, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
42   *
43   * $Id$
44   */
45  
46  package org.exolab.castor.mapping;
47  
48  import java.util.Enumeration;
49  
50  /**
51   * Collection handler for adding/listing elements of a collection. A collection
52   * field will use this handler to add elements when it's value is set, and to
53   * enumerate then when it's value is retrieved. A collection handler is
54   * instantiated only once, must be thread safe and not use any synchronization.
55   * 
56   * @author <a href="arkin@intalio.com">Assaf Arkin</a>
57   * @version $Revision$ $Date: 2003-03-03 00:05:44 -0700 (Mon, 03 Mar
58   *          2003) $
59   */
60  public interface CollectionHandler<T> {
61  
62     /**
63      * Add an object to the collection. A collection may not allow the same
64      * object to be added more than once. The collection is provided as a
65      * parameter and is returned as the return value if the returned collection
66      * is a different object. That way the handler can create a new collection or
67      * change the collection as necessary (e.g. when resizing an array).
68      * 
69      * @param collection
70      *           The collection, null if no collection has been created yet
71      * @param object
72      *           The object to add to the collection
73      * @return The collection with the new object if a different instance than
74      *         the <tt>collection</tt> parameter, null otherwise
75      * @throws ClassCastException
76      *            The collection handler does not support collections of this
77      *            type
78      */
79     public Object add(Object collection, T object) throws ClassCastException;
80  
81     /**
82      * Returns an enumeration of all the elements in the collection.
83      * 
84      * @param collection
85      *           The collection
86      * @return An enumeration of all the elements in the collection
87      * @throws ClassCastException
88      *            The collection handler does not support collections of this
89      *            type
90      */
91     public Enumeration<T> elements(Object collection) throws ClassCastException;
92  
93     /**
94      * Returns the number of elements in the collection.
95      * 
96      * @param collection
97      *           The collection
98      * @return Number of elements in the collection
99      * @throws ClassCastException
100     *            The collection handler does not support collections of this
101     *            type
102     */
103    public int size(Object collection) throws ClassCastException;
104 
105    /**
106     * Clears the collection of any objects. The collection is provided as a
107     * parameter and is returned as the return value if the returned collection
108     * is a different object. That way the handler can create a new collection or
109     * change the collection as necessary (e.g. when resizing an array).
110     * 
111     * @param collection
112     *           The collection, null if no collection has been created yet
113     * @return The empty collection if a different instance than the
114     *         <tt>collection</tt> parameter, null otherwise
115     * @throws ClassCastException
116     *            The collection handler does not support collections of this
117     *            type
118     */
119    public Object clear(Object collection) throws ClassCastException;
120 
121 }