javolution.util.function

Interface Equality<T>

Type Parameters:

T - the type of objects that may be compared for equality or order.

All Superinterfaces:

Comparator<T>, EqualityComparer<T>, Serializable

public interface Equality<T>
extends EqualityComparer<T>, Comparator<T>, Serializable

A comparator to be used for element equality as well as for ordering. Implementing classes should ensure that:

• The compare function is consistent with equal. If two objects compare to 0 then they are equal and the reciprocal is true (this ensures that sorted collections/maps do not break the general contract of their parent class based on object equal).
• The hash function is consistent with equal: If two objects are equal, they have the same hashcode (the reciprocal is not true).
• The null value is supported (even for comparisons) and the hashcode value of null is 0.

Version:

6.0, July 21, 2013

Author:

Jean-Marie Dautelle

See Also:

Equalities

Method Summary

Methods

Modifier and Type	Method and Description
int	compare(T left, T right) Compares the specified objects for order.
boolean	equal(T left, T right) Indicates if the specified objects can be considered equal.
int	hashOf(T object) Returns the hash code for the specified object (consistent with equal(Object, Object)).

Methods inherited from interface java.util.Comparator

equals

Method Detail

hashOf

int hashOf(T object)

Returns the hash code for the specified object (consistent with equal(Object, Object)). Two objects considered equal have the same hash code. The hash code of null is always 0.

Parameters:

object - the object to return the hashcode for.

Returns:

the hashcode for the specified object.

equal

boolean equal(T left,
            T right)

Indicates if the specified objects can be considered equal. This methods is equivalent to (compare(o1, o2) == 0) but usually faster.

Specified by:

equal in interface EqualityComparer<T>

Parameters:

left - the first object (or null).

right - the second object (or null).

Returns:

true if both objects are considered equal; false otherwise.

compare

int compare(T left,
          T right)

Compares the specified objects for order. Returns a negative integer, zero, or a positive integer as the first argument is less than, possibly equal to, or greater than the second. Implementation classes should ensure that comparisons with null is supported.

Specified by:

compare in interface Comparator<T>

Parameters:

left - the first object.

right - the second object.

Returns:

a negative integer, zero, or a positive integer as the first argument is less than, possibly equal to, or greater than the second.