/* Elements.java -- Utility methods for operating on elements.
   Copyright (C) 2012  Free Software Foundation, Inc.

This file is part of GNU Classpath.

GNU Classpath is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
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General Public License for more details.

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02110-1301 USA.

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permission to link this library with independent modules to produce an
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package javax.lang.model.util;

import java.io.Writer;

import java.util.List;

import javax.lang.model.element.Element;
import javax.lang.model.element.TypeElement;

/**
 * Utility methods for operating on elements.
 *
 * @since 1.6
 */
public interface Elements
{

  /**
   * Returns all members of a type element, whether declared
   * directly in that element or inherited.  For a class element,
   * this includes all constructors, but not local or anonymous
   * classes.
   *
   * @param type the type to return the members of.
   * @return all members of the type.
   * @see Element#getEnclosedElements()
   */
  List<? extends Element> getAllMembers(TypeElement type);

  /**
   * Returns the text of a constant expression which represents
   * either a primitive value or a {@link String}.  The returned
   * text is in a form suitable for inclusion in source code.
   *
   * @param value a primitive value or string.
   * @return the text of the constant expression.
   * @throws IllegalArgumentExpression if the argument is not a
   *         primitive value or string.
   */
  String getConstantExpression(Object value);

  /**
   * Returns the text of the documentation comment attached to
   * an element.
   *
   * @param elem the element whose comment should be returned.
   * @return the documentation comment, or {@code null} if there is none.
   */
  String getDocComment(Element elem);

  /**
   * Returns a type element, given its canonical name.
   *
   * @param name the canonical name of the element.
   * @return the named type element or {@code null} if it wasn't found.
   */
  TypeElement getTypeElement(CharSequence name);

  /**
   * Tests whether a type, method or field hides another.
   *
   * @param hider the element that is doing the hiding.
   * @param hidden the element hidden by the hider.
   * @return true if, and only if, the hider hides the hidden element.
   */
  boolean hides(Element hider, Element hidden);

  /**
   * Returns true if the specified element has been deprecated.
   *
   * @param elem the element to check for deprecation.
   * @return true if the element is deprecated.
   */
  boolean isDeprecated(Element elem);

  /**
   * Prints out a representation of the elements in the order specified
   * using the supplied writer.  The main purpose of this method is for
   * debugging purposes and the format of the output is not defined.
   *
   * @param writer the writer to send the output to.
   * @param elements the elements to print.
   */
  void printElements(Writer w, Element... elements);

}