/*
 * Copyright (c) 2007, intarsys consulting GmbH
 *
 * 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 intarsys 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
 * 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.
 */
package de.intarsys.tools.adapter;

/**
 * A factory instance that can create an adapter object of type
 * <code>clazz</code> on behalf of the object <code>object</code>.
 */
public interface IAdapterFactory {

	/**
	 * Return an object of type <code>clazz</code> that represents
	 * <code>object</code>.
	 * <p>
	 * This method should return <code>null</code> if adaption is not possible.
	 * 
	 * @param <T>
	 * @param object
	 * @param clazz
	 * @return Return an object of type <code>clazz</code> that represents
	 *         <code>object</code>.
	 */
	public <T> T getAdapter(Object object, Class<T> clazz);

	/**
	 * The type of objects that can be adapted by this factory.
	 * 
	 * @return The type of objects that can be adapted by this factory.
	 */
	public Class getBaseType();

}
