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 * DO NOT ALTER OR REMOVE COPYRIGHT NOTICES OR THIS HEADER.
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 * and Distribution License("CDDL") (collectively, the "License").  You
 * may not use this file except in compliance with the License. You can obtain
 * a copy of the License at https://glassfish.dev.java.net/public/CDDL+GPL.html
 * or glassfish/bootstrap/legal/LICENSE.txt.  See the License for the specific
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 * 
 * When distributing the software, include this License Header Notice in each
 * file and include the License file at glassfish/bootstrap/legal/LICENSE.txt.
 * Sun designates this particular file as subject to the "Classpath" exception
 * as provided by Sun in the GPL Version 2 section of the License file that
 * accompanied this code.  If applicable, add the following below the License
 * Header, with the fields enclosed by brackets [] replaced by your own
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 * only the GPL Version 2, indicate your decision by adding "[Contributor]
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 */

/*
 * FieldElementHolder.java
 *
 * Created on February 28, 2000, 3:55 PM
 */

package com.sun.jdo.api.persistence.model.jdo;

import com.sun.jdo.api.persistence.model.ModelException;

/** 
 *
 * @author raccah
 * @version %I%
 */
public interface FieldElementHolder
{
	/** Add the supplied field to the collection of fields maintained by this 
	 * holder.
	 * @param field the field to be added
	 * @exception ModelException if impossible
	 */
	public void addField (PersistenceFieldElement field) 
		throws ModelException;

	/** Add the supplied fields to the collection of fields maintained by this 
	 * holder.
	 * @param fields the array of fields to be added
	 * @exception ModelException if impossible
	 */
	public void addFields (PersistenceFieldElement[] fields)
		throws ModelException;

	/** Remove the supplied field from the collection of fields maintained by 
	 * this holder.
	 * @param field the field to be removed
	 * @exception ModelException if impossible
	 */
	public void removeField (PersistenceFieldElement field)
		throws ModelException;

	/** Removed the supplied fields from the collection of fields maintained 
	 * by this holder.
	 * @param fields the array of fields to be removed
	 * @exception ModelException if impossible
	 */
	public void removeFields (PersistenceFieldElement[] fields)
		throws ModelException;

	/** Returns the collection of fields maintained by this holder in the form 
	 * of an array.
	 * @return the fields maintained by this holder
	 */
	public PersistenceFieldElement[] getFields ();

	/** Sets the collection of fields maintained by this holder to the contents  
	 * of the supplied array.
	 * @param fields the fields maintained by this holder
	 * @exception ModelException if impossible
	 */
	public void setFields (PersistenceFieldElement[] fields)
		throws ModelException;

	/** Returns the field with the supplied name from the collection of fields 
	 * maintained by this holder.
	 * @param name the name to match
	 * @return the field with the supplied name, <code>null</code> if none exists
	 */
	public PersistenceFieldElement getField (String name);

	/** Tests whether the supplied field is in the collection of fields 
	 * maintained by this holder.
	 * @param field the field to be tested
	 */
	public boolean containsField (PersistenceFieldElement field);
}