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package org.aopalliance.reflect;

/**
 * An abstract program unit.
 *
 * Any structural unit of a base program (class, member,
 * ...). Units exclude the code.
 *
 * 
When referencing a program unit, the client can retrieve unit
 * locators using {@link #getLocator()} or more specific methods. This
 * locators shall be used conjointly whith an {@link
 * org.aopalliance.instrument.Instrumentor} implementation in order to
 * perform aspetual transformations of the program (e.g. type merging,
 * parameters adding,...).
 *
 * 
Program units also supports metadatas, i.e. the ability to add
 * extra information on the base program so that the client can
 * extends its meaning very easily.
 *
 * @see org.aopalliance.instrument.Instrumentor
 * @see UnitLocator
 * @see Class
 * @see Method
 * @see Field */

public interface ProgramUnit {

   /**
    * Returns the locator that corresponds to this unit.
    */
   UnitLocator getLocator();

   /**
    * Returns the metadata that is associated to this unit from its
    * key. */
   Metadata getMetadata(Object key);

   /**
    * Returns all the metadatas that are associated to the current
    * unit. */
   Metadata[] getMetadatas();
   
   /**
    * Associates a metadata to the current unit.
    *
    * 
If a metadata already exists with the same key, then its
    * value is replaced by the newly given one. */
   void addMetadata(Metadata metadata);

   /**
    * Removes a metadata from its key.
    *
    * If none metadata having the given key exists, then this method
    * has no effect. */
   void removeMetadata(Object key);
}