package org.eclipse.core.runtime;

/*
 * (c) Copyright IBM Corp. 2000, 2001.
 * All Rights Reserved.
 */

/**
 * An adapter factory defines behavioral extensions for
 * one or more classes that implements the <code>IAdaptable</code>
 * interface. Adapter factories are registered with an
 * adapter manager.
 * <p>
 * Clients may implement this interface.
 * </p>
 *
 * @see IAdapterManager
 * @see IAdaptable
 */
public interface IAdapterFactory {
/**
 * Returns an object which is an instance of the given class
 * associated with the given object. Returns <code>null</code> if
 * no such object can be found.
 *
 * @param adaptableObject the adaptable object being queried
 *   (usually an instance of <code>IAdaptable</code>)
 * @param adapterType the type of adapter to look up
 * @return a object castable to the given adapter type, 
 *    or <code>null</code> if this adapter factory 
 *    does not have an adapter of the given type for the
 *    given object
 */
public Object getAdapter(Object adaptableObject, Class adapterType);
/**
 * Returns the collection of adapter types handled by this
 * factory.
 * <p>
 * This method is generally used by an adapter manager
 * to discover which adapter types are supported, in advance
 * of dispatching any actual <code>getAdapter</code> requests.
 * </p>
 *
 * @return the collection of adapter types
 */
public Class[] getAdapterList();
}