/*
 * Copyright (c) 2005, 2006, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
 * ORACLE PROPRIETARY/CONFIDENTIAL. Use is subject to license terms.
 *
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 */

package javax.lang.model.type;


import java.util.List;

import javax.lang.model.element.ExecutableElement;


/**
 * Represents the type of an executable.  An <i>executable</i>
 * is a method, constructor, or initializer.
 *
 * <p> The executable is
 * represented as when viewed as a method (or constructor or
 * initializer) of some reference type.
 * If that reference type is parameterized, then its actual
 * type arguments are substituted into any types returned by the methods of
 * this interface.
 *
 * @author Joseph D. Darcy
 * @author Scott Seligman
 * @author Peter von der Ahé
 * @see ExecutableElement
 * @since 1.6
 */
public interface ExecutableType extends TypeMirror {

    /**
     * Returns the type variables declared by the formal type parameters
     * of this executable.
     *
     * @return the type variables declared by the formal type parameters,
     *          or an empty list if there are none
     */
    List<? extends TypeVariable> getTypeVariables();

    /**
     * Returns the return type of this executable.
     * Returns a {@link NoType} with kind {@link TypeKind#VOID VOID}
     * if this executable is not a method, or is a method that does not
     * return a value.
     *
     * @return the return type of this executable
     */
    TypeMirror getReturnType();

    /**
     * Returns the types of this executable's formal parameters.
     *
     * @return the types of this executable's formal parameters,
     *          or an empty list if there are none
     */
    List<? extends TypeMirror> getParameterTypes();

    /**
     * Returns the exceptions and other throwables listed in this
     * executable's {@code throws} clause.
     *
     * @return the exceptions and other throwables listed in this
     *          executable's {@code throws} clause,
     *          or an empty list if there are none.
     */
    List<? extends TypeMirror> getThrownTypes();
}