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Class uhr.core.structure.NodeStd

java.lang.Object
   |
   +----uhr.core.structure.NodeStd

public class NodeStd

extends Object

implements Node, Serializable

See full documentation.

NodeStd()

buildPathToNode(Node, String)

Builds and returns a delimited path from this node to the toNode, using the provided delimiter.

findNodeWithProperty(String)

Finds and returns the Node with the propertyKey, starting in this node and searching upward until the root is found.

findProperty(String)

Finds and returns the property with the propertyKey, starting in this node and searching upward until the root is found.

getName()

Returns the part name.

getParent()

Returns the node's parent node or null if this is the root.

getPart()

Returns the node's part.

getProperties()

Returns the custom properties in this node.

getRootNode()

Returns the root node, which has no parent node.

isContainer()

Returns true if this is a container part or false if not.

isCore()

Returns true if this is a core part or false if not.

isHidden()

Returns true if this is a hidden part or false if not.

isInheritable()

Returns true if this is inheritable or false if not.

isRoot()

Determines whether this is the root node or not.

isVirtual()

Returns true if this is a virtual part or false if not.

setCore(boolean)

Sets whether this is a core part or not.

setHidden(boolean)

Sets whether this is a hidden part or not.

setInheritable(boolean)

Sets whether this is inheritable or not.

setName(String)

Sets the node or part name.

setParent(Container)

Sets the node's parent node.

setPart(Object)

Sets the node's part, which may be any object whatsoever.

setVirtual(boolean)

Sets whether this is a virtual part or not.

toString()

Returns a String representation of the node.

 public NodeStd()

 public void setName(String name)

Sets the node or part name. This must be unique per container. It must be alphanumeric, may contain periods, and must not contain blanks or slashes. It cannot be null or a zero length String. This is a required property.

Our convention is to capatalize the first letter of each word making up the self-documenting part name. Examples are "Root", "ControlRegistry" and "UserSecurity".

If part names are used for finding the part in other containers, then to avoid name space conflicts the names need careful design. This can achieve branch or system uniqueness. This will happen if service parts are used a lot. To support unique naming we allow periods in the name, such as "org.jcon.security.UserAuthorization".

The part name "MyCell" is not allowed. This is reserved for use in ContainerNode.findPart(String partName).

Parameters:

name - the name of the node.

Throws: IllegalArgumentException

if the name is "MyCell".

 public String getName()

Returns the part name.

Returns:

the name of the part.

 public void setPart(Object part)

Sets the node's part, which may be any object whatsoever. The object should be unique per container and probably unique per System Tree. This is a required property.

Parameters:

part - the node's part.

 public Object getPart()

Returns the node's part.

Returns:

the node's part.

 public void setParent(Container parentNode)

Sets the node's parent node. This is required for all nodes in a tree except the root, which is null.

Parameters:

parentNode - the parent of this node or null if this is the root node.

 public Container getParent()

Returns the node's parent node or null if this is the root.

Returns:

the parent of this node or null if this is the root node.

 public boolean isRoot()

Determines whether this is the root node or not. The root node has no parent node.

Returns:

true if root node or false if not.

 public Container getRootNode()

Returns the root node, which has no parent node.

Returns:

the root node.

 public boolean isContainer()

Returns true if this is a container part or false if not.

A unique type of core part is a container. It holds other container or leaf parts. All non-container parts are leaf parts. A container part requires the other core parts to run. Thus the core parts form the "container" portion of a system. We do not call this "isCell" to allow other types of containers, such as organs.

Returns:

true if this is a container or false if not.

 public void setCore(boolean isCore)

Sets whether this is a core part or not. The default is false.

Parameters:

isCore - true if this is a core part or false if not.

 public boolean isCore()

Returns true if this is a core part or false if not.

Parts are divided into two groups: core and domain. Core parts are required for a System Tree to run. They are domain neutral, and are normally hidden. Domain parts are the ones supplied by the system builder, have the domain functionality, and form the bulk of a system. The use of core parts by domain parts should be minimized and fascaded to preserve core encapsulation.

Returns:

true if this is a core part or false if not.

 public void setInheritable(boolean isInheritable)

Sets whether this is inheritable or not. The default is false.

Parameters:

isInheritable - true if this is inheritable or false if not.

 public boolean isInheritable()

Returns true if this is inheritable or false if not.

Parts may play a "local" or "inheritable" role in their collaborations with other parts. Most parts are local, and are used via Messages or occasionally directly. Some parts play a "service" role by sitting near the upper region of a System Tree and serving the needs of many parts below by being inheritable. This is the Service Architecture Pattern, though that pattern is not limited to trees.

We recommend the use of "message services" instead of "part services" for most use. This has looser coupling.

An example of the use of isInheritable is core service parts. This allows cores that don't use Messages, gives greater speed, and allows part sharing of stateless part by many containers for efficiency. One purpose of this property is so the designer can declare that a part NOT be used as a service, which can improve cell encapsulation. Another advantage is automatic management of service parts by a service registry or such.

Returns:

true if this is inheritable or false if not.

 public void setVirtual(boolean isVirtual)

Sets whether this is a virtual part or not. The default is false.

Parameters:

isVirtual - true if this is virtual or false if not.

 public boolean isVirtual()

Returns true if this is a virtual part or false if not.

Parts may be normal or "virtual". Normally all parts are defined in Container DK. But virtual parts are not defined by Container DK. This allows more dynamic system behavior, less DK, and lighter system weight. An example of virtual parts is core parts in subcells below the root.

TODO - Perhaps we need a better word, but "virtual" means a part definition is hidden, and so the part appears out of nowhere. Is this property really needed?

Returns:

true if this is virtual or false if not.

 public void setHidden(boolean isHidden)

Sets whether this is a hidden part or not. The default is false.

Parameters:

isHidden - true if this is hidden or false if not.

 public boolean isHidden()

Returns true if this is a hidden part or false if not.

Most parts are visible in the visual System Tree tool and to "get all parts in a container" calls, etc. But the core parts (except for container) are hidden, because that would clutter up things visually, and expose them to possible misuse by non-core parts. This also helps preserve core encapsulation.

This property can be used to control the behavior of classes like "PartReader" to hide sensitive parts. (It's a little muddy because of the show container exception)

Returns:

true if this is hidden or false if not.

 public Flexitron getProperties()

Returns the custom properties in this node. When a node is created these are empty.

Returns:

the Flexitron containing the properties. It is an InfotronStd.

 public Object findProperty(String propertyKey)

Finds and returns the property with the propertyKey, starting in this node and searching upward until the root is found. If not found return null. RECURSIVE.

Parameters:

propertyKey - the key of interest.

Returns:

the property for the propertyKey or null if not found.

 public Node findNodeWithProperty(String propertyKey)

Finds and returns the Node with the propertyKey, starting in this node and searching upward until the root is found. If not found returns null. RECURSIVE.

Parameters:

propertyKey - the key of interest.

Returns:

the node the propertyKey is in or null if not found.

 public String buildPathToNode(Node toNode,
                               String delimiter)

Builds and returns a delimited path from this node to the toNode, using the provided delimiter. This node's name is included and the toNode's name is excluded. If this node and the toNode are the same, "" is returned. Otherwise the result has a delimeter on the end.

Parameters:

toNode - the node to stop at, inclusive.

delimiter - the delimter, such as "/", to use.

Returns:

the delimted path or "" if toNode equals this node.

 public String toString()

Returns a String representation of the node. The standard is the name of the node.

Returns:

a String representation of the node.

Overrides:

toString in class Object

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