Connector.java

/*
 * ====================
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 *
 * Copyright 2008-2009 Sun Microsystems, Inc. All rights reserved.
 *
 * The contents of this file are subject to the terms of the Common Development
 * and Distribution License("CDDL") (the "License").  You may not use this file
 * except in compliance with the License.
 *
 * You can obtain a copy of the License at
 * http://opensource.org/licenses/cddl1.php
 * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations
 * under the License.
 *
 * When distributing the Covered Code, include this CDDL Header Notice in each file
 * and include the License file at http://opensource.org/licenses/cddl1.php.
 * If applicable, add the following below this CDDL Header, with the fields
 * enclosed by brackets [] replaced by your own identifying information:
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 * ====================
 */
package org.identityconnectors.framework.spi;

/**
 * This is the main interface to declare a connector. Developers must implement
 * this interface. The life-cycle for a {@link Connector} is as follows
 * {@link #init(Configuration)} is called then any of the operations implemented
 * in the Connector and finally dispose. The {@link #init(Configuration)} and
 * {@link #dispose()} allow for block operations. For instance bulk creates or
 * deletes and the use of before and after actions. Once {@link #dispose()} is
 * called the {@link Connector} object is discarded.
 */
public interface Connector {

    /**
     * Return the configuration that was passed to {@link #init(Configuration)}.
     *
     * @return The configuration that was passed to {@link #init(Configuration)}.
     */
    public Configuration getConfiguration();

    /**
     * Initialize the connector with its configuration. For instance in a JDBC
     * {@link Connector} this would include the database URL, password, and
     * user.
     *
     * @param cfg
     *            instance of the {@link Configuration} object implemented by
     *            the {@link Connector} developer and populated with information
     *            in order to initialize the {@link Connector}.
     */
    public void init(Configuration cfg);

    /**
     * Dispose of any resources the {@link Connector} uses.
     */
    public void dispose();
}