The Spring Framework

org.springframework.core
Interface AttributeAccessor

All Known Subinterfaces:
BeanDefinition
All Known Implementing Classes:
AbstractBeanDefinition, AttributeAccessorSupport, ChildBeanDefinition, PropertyValue, RootBeanDefinition

public interface AttributeAccessor

Interface defining a generic contract for attaching and accessing metadata to/from arbitrary objects.

Since:
2.0
Author:
Rob Harrop

Method Summary
 String[] attributeNames()
          Return the names of all attributes.
 Object getAttribute(String name)
          Get the value of the attribute identified by name.
 boolean hasAttribute(String name)
          Return true if the attribute identified by name exists.
 Object removeAttribute(String name)
          Remove the attribute identified by name and return its value.
 void setAttribute(String name, Object value)
          Set the attribute defined by name to the supplied value.
 

Method Detail

setAttribute

void setAttribute(String name,
                  Object value)
Set the attribute defined by name to the supplied value. If value is null, the attribute is removed.

In general, users should take care to prevent overlaps with other metadata attributes by using fully-qualified names, perhaps using class or package names as prefix.

Parameters:
name - the unique attribute key
value - the attribute value to be attached

getAttribute

Object getAttribute(String name)
Get the value of the attribute identified by name. Return null if the attribute doesn't exist.

Parameters:
name - the unique attribute key
Returns:
the current value of the attribute, if any

removeAttribute

Object removeAttribute(String name)
Remove the attribute identified by name and return its value. Return null if no attribute under name is found.

Parameters:
name - the unique attribute key
Returns:
the last value of the attribute, if any

hasAttribute

boolean hasAttribute(String name)
Return true if the attribute identified by name exists. Otherwise return false.

Parameters:
name - the unique attribute key

attributeNames

String[] attributeNames()
Return the names of all attributes.


The Spring Framework

Copyright © 2002-2007 The Spring Framework.