/*
 * $Header: /home/cvs/jakarta-tomcat-4.0/catalina/src/share/org/apache/catalina/Loader.java,v 1.5 2001/07/22 20:13:30 pier Exp $
 * $Revision: 1.5 $
 * $Date: 2001/07/22 20:13:30 $
 *
 * ====================================================================
 *
 * The Apache Software License, Version 1.1
 *
 * Copyright (c) 1999 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 acknowlegement:
 *       "This product includes software developed by the
 *        Apache Software Foundation (http://www.apache.org/)."
 *    Alternately, this acknowlegement may appear in the software itself,
 *    if and wherever such third-party acknowlegements normally appear.
 *
 * 4. The names "The Jakarta Project", "Tomcat", and "Apache Software
 *    Foundation" 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"
 *    nor may "Apache" appear in their names without prior written
 *    permission of the Apache Group.
 *
 * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED ``AS IS'' AND ANY EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED
 * WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES
 * OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE
 * DISCLAIMED.  IN NO EVENT SHALL THE APACHE SOFTWARE FOUNDATION OR
 * ITS CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
 * SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT
 * LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF
 * USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND
 * 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/>.
 *
 * [Additional notices, if required by prior licensing conditions]
 *
 */


package org.apache.catalina;


import java.beans.PropertyChangeListener;


/**
 * A <b>Loader</b> represents a Java ClassLoader implementation that can
 * be used by a Container to load class files (within a repository associated
 * with the Loader) that are designed to be reloaded upon request, as well as
 * a mechanism to detect whether changes have occurred in the underlying
 * repository.
 * <p>
 * In order for a <code>Loader</code> implementation to successfully operate
 * with a <code>Context</code> implementation that implements reloading, it
 * must obey the following constraints:
 * <ul>
 * <li>Must implement <code>Lifecycle</code> so that the Context can indicate
 *     that a new class loader is required.
 * <li>The <code>start()</code> method must unconditionally create a new
 *     <code>ClassLoader</code> implementation.
 * <li>The <code>stop()</code> method must throw away its reference to the
 *     <code>ClassLoader</code> previously utilized, so that the class loader,
 *     all classes loaded by it, and all objects of those classes, can be
 *     garbage collected.
 * <li>Must allow a call to <code>stop()</code> to be followed by a call to
 *     <code>start()</code> on the same <code>Loader</code> instance.
 * <li>Based on a policy chosen by the implementation, must call the
 *     <code>Context.reload()</code> method on the owning <code>Context</code>
 *     when a change to one or more of the class files loaded by this class
 *     loader is detected.
 * </ul>
 *
 * @author Craig R. McClanahan
 * @version $Revision: 1.5 $ $Date: 2001/07/22 20:13:30 $
 */

public interface Loader {


    // ------------------------------------------------------------- Properties


    /**
     * Return the Java class loader to be used by this Container.
     */
    public ClassLoader getClassLoader();


    /**
     * Return the Container with which this Loader has been associated.
     */
    public Container getContainer();


    /**
     * Set the Container with which this Loader has been associated.
     *
     * @param container The associated Container
     */
    public void setContainer(Container container);


    /**
     * Return the "follow standard delegation model" flag used to configure
     * our ClassLoader.
     */
    public boolean getDelegate();


    /**
     * Set the "follow standard delegation model" flag used to configure
     * our ClassLoader.
     *
     * @param delegate The new flag
     */
    public void setDelegate(boolean delegate);


    /**
     * Return descriptive information about this Loader implementation and
     * the corresponding version number, in the format
     * <code>&lt;description&gt;/&lt;version&gt;</code>.
     */
    public String getInfo();


    /**
     * Return the reloadable flag for this Loader.
     */
    public boolean getReloadable();


    /**
     * Set the reloadable flag for this Loader.
     *
     * @param reloadable The new reloadable flag
     */
    public void setReloadable(boolean reloadable);


    // --------------------------------------------------------- Public Methods


    /**
     * Add a property change listener to this component.
     *
     * @param listener The listener to add
     */
    public void addPropertyChangeListener(PropertyChangeListener listener);


    /**
     * Add a new repository to the set of repositories for this class loader.
     *
     * @param repository Repository to be added
     */
    public void addRepository(String repository);


    /**
     * Return the set of repositories defined for this class loader.
     * If none are defined, a zero-length array is returned.
     */
    public String[] findRepositories();


    /**
     * Has the internal repository associated with this Loader been modified,
     * such that the loaded classes should be reloaded?
     */
    public boolean modified();


    /**
     * Remove a property change listener from this component.
     *
     * @param listener The listener to remove
     */
    public void removePropertyChangeListener(PropertyChangeListener listener);


}
