/**
 * Redistribution and use of this software and associated documentation ("Software"), with or
 * without modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
 *
 * 1. Redistributions of source code must retain copyright statements and notices. Redistributions
 * must also contain a copy of this document.
 *
 * 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 name "Exolab" must not be used to endorse or promote products derived from this Software
 * without prior written permission of Intalio, Inc. For written permission, please contact
 * info@exolab.org.
 *
 * 4. Products derived from this Software may not be called "Exolab" nor may "Exolab" appear in
 * their names without prior written permission of Intalio, Inc. Exolab is a registered trademark of
 * Intalio, Inc.
 *
 * 5. Due credit should be given to the Exolab Project (http://www.exolab.org/).
 *
 * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY INTALIO, INC. AND CONTRIBUTORS ``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 INTALIO, INC. 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.
 *
 * Copyright 1999 (C) Intalio, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
 *
 * This file was originally developed by Keith Visco during the course of employment at Intalio Inc.
 * All portions of this file developed by Keith Visco after Jan 19 2005 are Copyright (C) 2005 Keith
 * Visco. All Rights Reserved.
 * 
 * $Id$
 */


package org.exolab.castor.xml;

import org.exolab.castor.mapping.ClassDescriptor;
import org.exolab.castor.mapping.MappingLoader;

/**
 * An interface for finding or "resolving" ClassDescriptor classes.
 * 
 * <BR/>
 * <B>Note:</B> This interface is used by the marshalling Framework for resolving ClassDescriptors
 * for non-primitive types. There are no guarantees that this class will be called for java native
 * classes.
 * 
 * @version $Revision$ $Date: 2005-02-28 17:41:38 -0700 (Mon, 28 Feb 2005) $
 */
public interface ClassDescriptorResolver {
  /**
   * <B>Note:</B> This method will be removed soon (kv).
   */
  MappingLoader getMappingLoader();

  /**
   * Returns the ClassDescriptor for the given class.
   * 
   * @param type the Class to find the ClassDescriptor for
   * @return the ClassDescriptor for the given class
   */
  ClassDescriptor resolve(Class<?> type) throws ResolverException;

  /**
   * Sets the mapping loader for this ClassDescriptorResolver. <B>Note:</B> This method will be
   * removed soon (kv).
   */
  void setMappingLoader(MappingLoader mappingLoader);
}
