/*
* $Header$
* $Revision: 624 $
* $Date: 2006-06-24 21:02:12 +1000 (Sat, 24 Jun 2006) $
*
* ====================================================================
*
* The Apache Software License, Version 1.1
*
* Copyright (c) 2003, 2004 The JRDF Project. 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
* the JRDF Project (http://jrdf.sf.net/)."
* Alternately, this acknowlegement may appear in the software itself,
* if and wherever such third-party acknowlegements normally appear.
*
* 4. The names "The JRDF Project" and "JRDF" must not be used to endorse
* or promote products derived from this software without prior written
* permission. For written permission, please contact
* newmana@users.sourceforge.net.
*
* 5. Products derived from this software may not be called "JRDF"
* nor may "JRDF" appear in their names without prior written
* permission of the JRDF Project.
*
* 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 JRDF Project. For more
* information on JRDF, please see <http://jrdf.sourceforge.net/>.
*/
package org.jrdf.graph;
import org.openrdf.model.BNode;
/**
* RDF blank node. Note that blank nodes are deliberately devoid of indentifying
* attributes.
*
* Blank nodes, can either be subjects or objects.
*
* @author <a href="http://staff.pisoftware.com/raboczi">Simon Raboczi</a>
* @author Andrew Newman
*
* @version $Revision: 624 $
*/
public interface BlankNode extends SubjectNode, ObjectNode, TypedNodeVisitable, BNode {
/**
* Returns a hash-code value for this BlankNode. While the implementation
* is not defined, if there is a blank node identifier then it should be
* the hash code generated from this. Hash code generation should follow
* the normal contract.
*
* @return a hash-code value for this blank node.
*/
int hashCode();
/**
* While the internal structure of a BlankNode is not defined equality between
* two nodes should be able to be determined. In some representations this
* equality would be defined by a blank node identifier.
*
* @param obj the reference object with which to compare.
* @return true if this object is the same as the obj argument; false otherwise.
*/
boolean equals(Object obj);
}