/*
 * Copyright (c) 2007 BUSINESS OBJECTS SOFTWARE LIMITED
 * All rights reserved.
 * 
 * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
 * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
 * 
 *     * Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice,
 *       this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
 *  
 *     * 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.
 *  
 *     * Neither the name of Business Objects nor the names of its contributors
 *       may be used to endorse or promote products derived from this software
 *       without specific prior written permission.
 *  
 * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS"
 * AND ANY EXPRESS 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 COPYRIGHT OWNER OR 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
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 * ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE
 * POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
 */


/*
 * PolymorphicVar.java
 * Created: Jun 22, 2004
 * By: Bo Ilic
 */
package org.openquark.cal.compiler;

/**
 * Base interface for either a TypeVar or a RecordVar.
 * Note much use at the moment- this is more for the future.
 * 
 * @author Bo Ilic
 */
interface PolymorphicVar {    
    
    
    /**    
     * When a type (or record) variable is introduced via a textual declaration, such as with a type declaration, a class instance
     * definition, or a data declaration, then we can preserve the user supplied name, and make use of it whenever
     * possible in displaying String representations of types involving this variable.        
     * @return the preferred textual name of this PolymorphicVar. null if there is no preferredName. 
     */    
    public String getPreferredName();   
}