/*
 * reserved comment block
 * DO NOT REMOVE OR ALTER!
 */
package com.sun.org.apache.bcel.internal.util;

/* ====================================================================
 * The Apache Software License, Version 1.1
 *
 * Copyright (c) 2001 The Apache Software Foundation.  All rights
 * reserved.
 *
 * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
 * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions
 * are met:
 *
 * 1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
 *    notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
 *
 * 2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
 *    notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in
 *    the documentation and/or other materials provided with the
 *    distribution.
 *
 * 3. The end-user documentation included with the redistribution,
 *    if any, must include the following acknowledgment:
 *       "This product includes software developed by the
 *        Apache Software Foundation (http://www.apache.org/)."
 *    Alternately, this acknowledgment may appear in the software itself,
 *    if and wherever such third-party acknowledgments normally appear.
 *
 * 4. The names "Apache" and "Apache Software Foundation" and
 *    "Apache BCEL" must not be used to endorse or promote products
 *    derived from this software without prior written permission. For
 *    written permission, please contact apache@apache.org.
 *
 * 5. Products derived from this software may not be called "Apache",
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 *
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 * ITS CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
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 * LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF
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 * ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY,
 * OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT
 * OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF
 * SUCH DAMAGE.
 * ====================================================================
 *
 * This software consists of voluntary contributions made by many
 * individuals on behalf of the Apache Software Foundation.  For more
 * information on the Apache Software Foundation, please see
 * <http://www.apache.org/>.
 */

import com.sun.org.apache.bcel.internal.classfile.JavaClass;

/**
 * Abstract definition of a class repository. Instances may be used
 * to load classes from different sources and may be used in the
 * Repository.setRepository method.
 *
 * @see com.sun.org.apache.bcel.internal.Repository
 * @author <A HREF="mailto:markus.dahm@berlin.de">M. Dahm</A>
 * @author David Dixon-Peugh
 */
public interface Repository extends java.io.Serializable {
  /**
   * Store the provided class under "clazz.getClassName()"
   */
  public void storeClass(JavaClass clazz);

  /**
   * Remove class from repository
   */
  public void removeClass(JavaClass clazz);

  /**
   * Find the class with the name provided, if the class
   * isn't there, return NULL.
   */
  public JavaClass findClass(String className);

  /**
   * Find the class with the name provided, if the class
   * isn't there, make an attempt to load it.
   */
  public JavaClass loadClass(String className)
    throws java.lang.ClassNotFoundException;

  /**
   * Find the JavaClass instance for the given run-time class object
   */
  public JavaClass loadClass(Class clazz)
    throws java.lang.ClassNotFoundException;

  /** Clear all entries from cache.
   */
  public void clear();
}