http://commons.apache.org/proper/commons-cli/: Apache Commons CLI provides a simple API for presenting, processing and validating a command line interface. (The Apache Software Foundation)
  • Beluga Behr
  • Peter Donald
  • Brian Egge
  • Duncan Jones
  • Berin Loritsch
  • Peter Maddocks (Hewlett-Packard)
  • Alexandru Mocanu
  • Andrew Shirley
  • Greg Thomas
  • Slawek Zachcial
  • James Strachan (SpiritSoft, Inc.)
  • Bob McWhirter (Werken)
  • John Keyes (integral Source)
  • Rob Oxspring (Indigo Stone)
  • Emmanuel Bourg (Ariane Software)
  • Thomas Neidhart 
Licensed to the Apache Software Foundation (ASF) under one or more
contributor license agreements.  See the NOTICE file distributed with
this work for additional information regarding copyright ownership.
The ASF licenses this file to You under the Apache License, Version 2.0
(the "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance with
the License.  You may obtain a copy of the License at
    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
limitations under the License.

/**
 * Licensed to the Apache Software Foundation (ASF) under one or more
 * contributor license agreements.  See the NOTICE file distributed with
 * this work for additional information regarding copyright ownership.
 * The ASF licenses this file to You under the Apache License, Version 2.0
 * (the "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance with
 * the License.  You may obtain a copy of the License at
 *
 *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
 *
 * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
 * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
 * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
 * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 * limitations under the License.
 */

package org.apache.commons.cli;

import java.io.Serializable;
import java.util.ArrayList;
import java.util.List;


Describes a single command-line option.  It maintains
information regarding the short-name of the option, the long-name,
if any exists, a flag indicating if an argument is required for
this option, and a self-documenting description of the option.

 An Option is not created independently, but is created through an instance of Options. An Option is required to have at least a short or a long-name. 

Note: once an Option has been added to an instance of Options, it's required flag may not be changed anymore. 
See Also:
Version:$Id: Option.java 1756753 2016-08-18 10:18:43Z britter $
/**
 * Describes a single command-line option.  It maintains
 * information regarding the short-name of the option, the long-name,
 * if any exists, a flag indicating if an argument is required for
 * this option, and a self-documenting description of the option.
 * <p>
 * An Option is not created independently, but is created through
 * an instance of {@link Options}. An Option is required to have
 * at least a short or a long-name.
 * <p>
 * <b>Note:</b> once an {@link Option} has been added to an instance
 * of {@link Options}, it's required flag may not be changed anymore.
 *
 * @see org.apache.commons.cli.Options
 * @see org.apache.commons.cli.CommandLine
 *
 * @version $Id: Option.java 1756753 2016-08-18 10:18:43Z britter $
 */
public class Option implements Cloneable, Serializable
{
    
constant that specifies the number of argument values has not been specified 
/** constant that specifies the number of argument values has not been specified */
    public static final int UNINITIALIZED = -1;

    
constant that specifies the number of argument values is infinite 
/** constant that specifies the number of argument values is infinite */
    public static final int UNLIMITED_VALUES = -2;

    
The serial version UID. 
/** The serial version UID. */
    private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;

    
the name of the option 
/** the name of the option */
    private final String opt;

    
the long representation of the option 
/** the long representation of the option */
    private String longOpt;

    
the name of the argument for this option 
/** the name of the argument for this option */
    private String argName;

    
description of the option 
/** description of the option */
    private String description;

    
specifies whether this option is required to be present 
/** specifies whether this option is required to be present */
    private boolean required;

    
specifies whether the argument value of this Option is optional 
/** specifies whether the argument value of this Option is optional */
    private boolean optionalArg;

    
the number of argument values this option can have 
/** the number of argument values this option can have */
    private int numberOfArgs = UNINITIALIZED;

    
the type of this Option 
/** the type of this Option */
    private Class<?> type = String.class;

    
the list of argument values 
/** the list of argument values **/
    private List<String> values = new ArrayList<String>();

    
the character that is the value separator 
/** the character that is the value separator */
    private char valuesep;

    
Private constructor used by the nested Builder class.

Params:
  • builder – builder used to create this option
/**
     * Private constructor used by the nested Builder class.
     * 
     * @param builder builder used to create this option
     */
    private Option(final Builder builder)
    {
        this.argName = builder.argName;
        this.description = builder.description;
        this.longOpt = builder.longOpt;
        this.numberOfArgs = builder.numberOfArgs;
        this.opt = builder.opt;
        this.optionalArg = builder.optionalArg;
        this.required = builder.required;
        this.type = builder.type;
        this.valuesep = builder.valuesep;
    }
    
    
Creates an Option using the specified parameters.
The option does not take an argument.

Params:
  • opt – short representation of the option
  • description – describes the function of the option
Throws:
/**
     * Creates an Option using the specified parameters.
     * The option does not take an argument.
     *
     * @param opt short representation of the option
     * @param description describes the function of the option
     *
     * @throws IllegalArgumentException if there are any non valid
     * Option characters in <code>opt</code>.
     */
    public Option(String opt, String description) throws IllegalArgumentException
    {
        this(opt, null, false, description);
    }

    
Creates an Option using the specified parameters.

Params:
  • opt – short representation of the option
  • hasArg – specifies whether the Option takes an argument or not
  • description – describes the function of the option
Throws:
/**
     * Creates an Option using the specified parameters.
     *
     * @param opt short representation of the option
     * @param hasArg specifies whether the Option takes an argument or not
     * @param description describes the function of the option
     *
     * @throws IllegalArgumentException if there are any non valid
     * Option characters in <code>opt</code>.
     */
    public Option(String opt, boolean hasArg, String description) throws IllegalArgumentException
    {
        this(opt, null, hasArg, description);
    }

    
Creates an Option using the specified parameters.

Params:
  • opt – short representation of the option
  • longOpt – the long representation of the option
  • hasArg – specifies whether the Option takes an argument or not
  • description – describes the function of the option
Throws:
/**
     * Creates an Option using the specified parameters.
     *
     * @param opt short representation of the option
     * @param longOpt the long representation of the option
     * @param hasArg specifies whether the Option takes an argument or not
     * @param description describes the function of the option
     *
     * @throws IllegalArgumentException if there are any non valid
     * Option characters in <code>opt</code>.
     */
    public Option(String opt, String longOpt, boolean hasArg, String description)
           throws IllegalArgumentException
    {
        // ensure that the option is valid
        OptionValidator.validateOption(opt);

        this.opt = opt;
        this.longOpt = longOpt;

        // if hasArg is set then the number of arguments is 1
        if (hasArg)
        {
            this.numberOfArgs = 1;
        }

        this.description = description;
    }

    
Returns the id of this Option.  This is only set when the
Option shortOpt is a single character.  This is used for switch
statements.

Returns:the id of this Option
/**
     * Returns the id of this Option.  This is only set when the
     * Option shortOpt is a single character.  This is used for switch
     * statements.
     *
     * @return the id of this Option
     */
    public int getId()
    {
        return getKey().charAt(0);
    }

    
Returns the 'unique' Option identifier.

Returns:the 'unique' Option identifier
/**
     * Returns the 'unique' Option identifier.
     * 
     * @return the 'unique' Option identifier
     */
    String getKey()
    {
        // if 'opt' is null, then it is a 'long' option
        return (opt == null) ? longOpt : opt;
    }

    
Retrieve the name of this Option. It is this String which can be used with CommandLine.hasOption(String opt) and CommandLine.getOptionValue(String opt) to check for existence and argument. 
Returns:The name of this option
/** 
     * Retrieve the name of this Option.
     *
     * It is this String which can be used with
     * {@link CommandLine#hasOption(String opt)} and
     * {@link CommandLine#getOptionValue(String opt)} to check
     * for existence and argument.
     *
     * @return The name of this option
     */
    public String getOpt()
    {
        return opt;
    }

    
Retrieve the type of this Option.

Returns:The type of this option
/**
     * Retrieve the type of this Option.
     * 
     * @return The type of this option
     */
    public Object getType()
    {
        return type;
    }

    
Sets the type of this Option.


Note: this method is kept for binary compatibility and the input type is supposed to be a Class object. 
Params:
  • type – the type of this Option
Deprecated:since 1.3, use setType(Class<?>) instead
/**
     * Sets the type of this Option.
     * <p>
     * <b>Note:</b> this method is kept for binary compatibility and the
     * input type is supposed to be a {@link Class} object. 
     *
     * @param type the type of this Option
     * @deprecated since 1.3, use {@link #setType(Class)} instead
     */
    @Deprecated
    public void setType(Object type)
    {
        setType((Class<?>) type);
    }

    
Sets the type of this Option.

Params:
  • type – the type of this Option
Since:1.3
/**
     * Sets the type of this Option.
     *
     * @param type the type of this Option
     * @since 1.3
     */
    public void setType(Class<?> type)
    {
        this.type = type;
    }

    
Retrieve the long name of this Option.

Returns:Long name of this option, or null, if there is no long name
/** 
     * Retrieve the long name of this Option.
     *
     * @return Long name of this option, or null, if there is no long name
     */
    public String getLongOpt()
    {
        return longOpt;
    }

    
Sets the long name of this Option.

Params:
  • longOpt – the long name of this Option
/**
     * Sets the long name of this Option.
     *
     * @param longOpt the long name of this Option
     */
    public void setLongOpt(String longOpt)
    {
        this.longOpt = longOpt;
    }

    
Sets whether this Option can have an optional argument.

Params:
  • optionalArg – specifies whether the Option can have
an optional argument.
/**
     * Sets whether this Option can have an optional argument.
     *
     * @param optionalArg specifies whether the Option can have
     * an optional argument.
     */
    public void setOptionalArg(boolean optionalArg)
    {
        this.optionalArg = optionalArg;
    }

    
Returns:whether this Option can have an optional argument
/**
     * @return whether this Option can have an optional argument
     */
    public boolean hasOptionalArg()
    {
        return optionalArg;
    }

    
Query to see if this Option has a long name

Returns:boolean flag indicating existence of a long name
/** 
     * Query to see if this Option has a long name
     *
     * @return boolean flag indicating existence of a long name
     */
    public boolean hasLongOpt()
    {
        return longOpt != null;
    }

    
Query to see if this Option requires an argument

Returns:boolean flag indicating if an argument is required
/** 
     * Query to see if this Option requires an argument
     *
     * @return boolean flag indicating if an argument is required
     */
    public boolean hasArg()
    {
        return numberOfArgs > 0 || numberOfArgs == UNLIMITED_VALUES;
    }

    
Retrieve the self-documenting description of this Option

Returns:The string description of this option
/** 
     * Retrieve the self-documenting description of this Option
     *
     * @return The string description of this option
     */
    public String getDescription()
    {
        return description;
    }

    
Sets the self-documenting description of this Option

Params:
  • description – The description of this option
Since:1.1
/**
     * Sets the self-documenting description of this Option
     *
     * @param description The description of this option
     * @since 1.1
     */
    public void setDescription(String description)
    {
        this.description = description;
    }

    
Query to see if this Option is mandatory

Returns:boolean flag indicating whether this Option is mandatory
/** 
     * Query to see if this Option is mandatory
     *
     * @return boolean flag indicating whether this Option is mandatory
     */
    public boolean isRequired()
    {
        return required;
    }

    
Sets whether this Option is mandatory.

Params:
  • required – specifies whether this Option is mandatory
/**
     * Sets whether this Option is mandatory.
     *
     * @param required specifies whether this Option is mandatory
     */
    public void setRequired(boolean required)
    {
        this.required = required;
    }

    
Sets the display name for the argument value.

Params:
  • argName – the display name for the argument value.
/**
     * Sets the display name for the argument value.
     *
     * @param argName the display name for the argument value.
     */
    public void setArgName(String argName)
    {
        this.argName = argName;
    }

    
Gets the display name for the argument value.

Returns:the display name for the argument value.
/**
     * Gets the display name for the argument value.
     *
     * @return the display name for the argument value.
     */
    public String getArgName()
    {
        return argName;
    }

    
Returns whether the display name for the argument value has been set.

Returns:if the display name for the argument value has been set.
/**
     * Returns whether the display name for the argument value has been set.
     *
     * @return if the display name for the argument value has been set.
     */
    public boolean hasArgName()
    {
        return argName != null && argName.length() > 0;
    }

    
Query to see if this Option can take many values.

Returns:boolean flag indicating if multiple values are allowed
/** 
     * Query to see if this Option can take many values.
     *
     * @return boolean flag indicating if multiple values are allowed
     */
    public boolean hasArgs()
    {
        return numberOfArgs > 1 || numberOfArgs == UNLIMITED_VALUES;
    }

    
Sets the number of argument values this Option can take.

Params:
  • num – the number of argument values
/** 
     * Sets the number of argument values this Option can take.
     *
     * @param num the number of argument values
     */
    public void setArgs(int num)
    {
        this.numberOfArgs = num;
    }

    
Sets the value separator.  For example if the argument value
was a Java property, the value separator would be '='.

Params:
  • sep – The value separator.
/**
     * Sets the value separator.  For example if the argument value
     * was a Java property, the value separator would be '='.
     *
     * @param sep The value separator.
     */
    public void setValueSeparator(char sep)
    {
        this.valuesep = sep;
    }

    
Returns the value separator character.

Returns:the value separator character.
/**
     * Returns the value separator character.
     *
     * @return the value separator character.
     */
    public char getValueSeparator()
    {
        return valuesep;
    }

    
Return whether this Option has specified a value separator.

Returns:whether this Option has specified a value separator.
Since:1.1
/**
     * Return whether this Option has specified a value separator.
     * 
     * @return whether this Option has specified a value separator.
     * @since 1.1
     */
    public boolean hasValueSeparator()
    {
        return valuesep > 0;
    }

    
Returns the number of argument values this Option can take.

 A value equal to the constant UNINITIALIZED (= -1) indicates the number of arguments has not been specified. A value equal to the constant UNLIMITED_VALUES (= -2) indicates that this options takes an unlimited amount of values. 


See Also:
Returns:num the number of argument values
/** 
     * Returns the number of argument values this Option can take.
     * 
     * <p>
     * A value equal to the constant {@link #UNINITIALIZED} (= -1) indicates
     * the number of arguments has not been specified.
     * A value equal to the constant {@link #UNLIMITED_VALUES} (= -2) indicates
     * that this options takes an unlimited amount of values.
     * </p>
     *
     * @return num the number of argument values
     * @see #UNINITIALIZED
     * @see #UNLIMITED_VALUES
     */
    public int getArgs()
    {
        return numberOfArgs;
    }

    
Adds the specified value to this Option.

Params:
  • value – is a/the value of this Option
/**
     * Adds the specified value to this Option.
     * 
     * @param value is a/the value of this Option
     */
    void addValueForProcessing(String value)
    {
        if (numberOfArgs == UNINITIALIZED)
        {
            throw new RuntimeException("NO_ARGS_ALLOWED");
        }
        processValue(value);
    }

    
Processes the value.  If this Option has a value separator
the value will have to be parsed into individual tokens.  When
n-1 tokens have been processed and there are more value separators
in the value, parsing is ceased and the remaining characters are
added as a single token.

Params:
  • value – The String to be processed.
Since:1.0.1
/**
     * Processes the value.  If this Option has a value separator
     * the value will have to be parsed into individual tokens.  When
     * n-1 tokens have been processed and there are more value separators
     * in the value, parsing is ceased and the remaining characters are
     * added as a single token.
     *
     * @param value The String to be processed.
     *
     * @since 1.0.1
     */
    private void processValue(String value)
    {
        // this Option has a separator character
        if (hasValueSeparator())
        {
            // get the separator character
            char sep = getValueSeparator();

            // store the index for the value separator
            int index = value.indexOf(sep);

            // while there are more value separators
            while (index != -1)
            {
                // next value to be added 
                if (values.size() == numberOfArgs - 1)
                {
                    break;
                }

                // store
                add(value.substring(0, index));

                // parse
                value = value.substring(index + 1);

                // get new index
                index = value.indexOf(sep);
            }
        }

        // store the actual value or the last value that has been parsed
        add(value);
    }

    
Add the value to this Option.  If the number of arguments
is greater than zero and there is enough space in the list then
add the value.  Otherwise, throw a runtime exception.

Params:
  • value – The value to be added to this Option
Since:1.0.1
/**
     * Add the value to this Option.  If the number of arguments
     * is greater than zero and there is enough space in the list then
     * add the value.  Otherwise, throw a runtime exception.
     *
     * @param value The value to be added to this Option
     *
     * @since 1.0.1
     */
    private void add(String value)
    {
        if (!acceptsArg())
        {
            throw new RuntimeException("Cannot add value, list full.");
        }

        // store value
        values.add(value);
    }

    
Returns the specified value of this Option or 
null if there is no value.

Returns:the value/first value of this Option or 
null if there is no value.
/**
     * Returns the specified value of this Option or 
     * <code>null</code> if there is no value.
     *
     * @return the value/first value of this Option or 
     * <code>null</code> if there is no value.
     */
    public String getValue()
    {
        return hasNoValues() ? null : values.get(0);
    }

    
Returns the specified value of this Option or 
null if there is no value.

Params:
  • index – The index of the value to be returned.
Throws:
Returns:the specified value of this Option or 
null if there is no value.
/**
     * Returns the specified value of this Option or 
     * <code>null</code> if there is no value.
     *
     * @param index The index of the value to be returned.
     *
     * @return the specified value of this Option or 
     * <code>null</code> if there is no value.
     *
     * @throws IndexOutOfBoundsException if index is less than 1
     * or greater than the number of the values for this Option.
     */
    public String getValue(int index) throws IndexOutOfBoundsException
    {
        return hasNoValues() ? null : values.get(index);
    }

    
Returns the value/first value of this Option or the 
defaultValue if there is no value.

Params:
  • defaultValue – The value to be returned if there
is no value.
Returns:the value/first value of this Option or the 
defaultValue if there are no values.
/**
     * Returns the value/first value of this Option or the 
     * <code>defaultValue</code> if there is no value.
     *
     * @param defaultValue The value to be returned if there
     * is no value.
     *
     * @return the value/first value of this Option or the 
     * <code>defaultValue</code> if there are no values.
     */
    public String getValue(String defaultValue)
    {
        String value = getValue();

        return (value != null) ? value : defaultValue;
    }

    
Return the values of this Option as a String array 
or null if there are no values

Returns:the values of this Option as a String array 
or null if there are no values
/**
     * Return the values of this Option as a String array 
     * or null if there are no values
     *
     * @return the values of this Option as a String array 
     * or null if there are no values
     */
    public String[] getValues()
    {
        return hasNoValues() ? null : values.toArray(new String[values.size()]);
    }

    
Returns:the values of this Option as a List
or null if there are no values
/**
     * @return the values of this Option as a List
     * or null if there are no values
     */
    public List<String> getValuesList()
    {
        return values;
    }

    
Dump state, suitable for debugging.

Returns:Stringified form of this object
/** 
     * Dump state, suitable for debugging.
     *
     * @return Stringified form of this object
     */
    @Override
    public String toString()
    {
        StringBuilder buf = new StringBuilder().append("[ option: ");

        buf.append(opt);

        if (longOpt != null)
        {
            buf.append(" ").append(longOpt);
        }

        buf.append(" ");

        if (hasArgs())
        {
            buf.append("[ARG...]");
        }
        else if (hasArg())
        {
            buf.append(" [ARG]");
        }

        buf.append(" :: ").append(description);

        if (type != null)
        {
            buf.append(" :: ").append(type);
        }

        buf.append(" ]");

        return buf.toString();
    }

    
Returns whether this Option has any values.

Returns:whether this Option has any values.
/**
     * Returns whether this Option has any values.
     *
     * @return whether this Option has any values.
     */
    private boolean hasNoValues()
    {
        return values.isEmpty();
    }

    @Override
    public boolean equals(Object o)
    {
        if (this == o)
        {
            return true;
        }
        if (o == null || getClass() != o.getClass())
        {
            return false;
        }

        Option option = (Option) o;


        if (opt != null ? !opt.equals(option.opt) : option.opt != null)
        {
            return false;
        }
        if (longOpt != null ? !longOpt.equals(option.longOpt) : option.longOpt != null)
        {
            return false;
        }

        return true;
    }

    @Override
    public int hashCode()
    {
        int result;
        result = opt != null ? opt.hashCode() : 0;
        result = 31 * result + (longOpt != null ? longOpt.hashCode() : 0);
        return result;
    }

    
A rather odd clone method - due to incorrect code in 1.0 it is public 
and in 1.1 rather than throwing a CloneNotSupportedException it throws 
a RuntimeException so as to maintain backwards compat at the API level. 
After calling this method, it is very likely you will want to call 
clearValues(). 

Throws:
Returns:a clone of this Option instance
/**
     * A rather odd clone method - due to incorrect code in 1.0 it is public 
     * and in 1.1 rather than throwing a CloneNotSupportedException it throws 
     * a RuntimeException so as to maintain backwards compat at the API level. 
     *
     * After calling this method, it is very likely you will want to call 
     * clearValues(). 
     *
     * @return a clone of this Option instance
     * @throws RuntimeException if a {@link CloneNotSupportedException} has been thrown
     * by {@code super.clone()}
     */
    @Override
    public Object clone()
    {
        try
        {
            Option option = (Option) super.clone();
            option.values = new ArrayList<String>(values);
            return option;
        }
        catch (CloneNotSupportedException cnse)
        {
            throw new RuntimeException("A CloneNotSupportedException was thrown: " + cnse.getMessage());
        }
    }

    
Clear the Option values. After a parse is complete, these are left with
data in them and they need clearing if another parse is done.
See: CLI-71

/**
     * Clear the Option values. After a parse is complete, these are left with
     * data in them and they need clearing if another parse is done.
     *
     * See: <a href="https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/CLI-71">CLI-71</a>
     */
    void clearValues()
    {
        values.clear();
    }

    
This method is not intended to be used. It was a piece of internal 
API that was made public in 1.0. It currently throws an UnsupportedOperationException.

Params:
  • value – the value to add
Throws:
Returns:always throws an UnsupportedOperationException
Deprecated:
/**
     * This method is not intended to be used. It was a piece of internal 
     * API that was made public in 1.0. It currently throws an UnsupportedOperationException.
     *
     * @param value the value to add
     * @return always throws an {@link UnsupportedOperationException}
     * @throws UnsupportedOperationException always
     * @deprecated
     */
    @Deprecated
    public boolean addValue(String value)
    {
        throw new UnsupportedOperationException("The addValue method is not intended for client use. "
                + "Subclasses should use the addValueForProcessing method instead. ");
    }

    
Tells if the option can accept more arguments.

Returns:false if the maximum number of arguments is reached
Since:1.3
/**
     * Tells if the option can accept more arguments.
     * 
     * @return false if the maximum number of arguments is reached
     * @since 1.3
     */
    boolean acceptsArg()
    {
        return (hasArg() || hasArgs() || hasOptionalArg()) && (numberOfArgs <= 0 || values.size() < numberOfArgs);
    }

    
Tells if the option requires more arguments to be valid.

Returns:false if the option doesn't require more arguments
Since:1.3
/**
     * Tells if the option requires more arguments to be valid.
     * 
     * @return false if the option doesn't require more arguments
     * @since 1.3
     */
    boolean requiresArg()
    {
        if (optionalArg)
        {
            return false;
        }
        if (numberOfArgs == UNLIMITED_VALUES)
        {
            return values.isEmpty();
        }
        return acceptsArg();
    }
    
    
Returns a Builder to create an Option using descriptive methods. 
Returns:a new Builder instance
Since:1.3
/**
     * Returns a {@link Builder} to create an {@link Option} using descriptive
     * methods.  
     * 
     * @return a new {@link Builder} instance
     * @since 1.3
     */
    public static Builder builder()
    {
        return builder(null);
    }
    
    
Returns a Builder to create an Option using descriptive methods. 
Params:
  • opt – short representation of the option
Throws:
Returns:a new Builder instance
Since:1.3
/**
     * Returns a {@link Builder} to create an {@link Option} using descriptive
     * methods.  
     *
     * @param opt short representation of the option
     * @return a new {@link Builder} instance
     * @throws IllegalArgumentException if there are any non valid Option characters in {@code opt}
     * @since 1.3
     */
    public static Builder builder(final String opt)
    {
        return new Builder(opt);
    }
    
    
A nested builder class to create Option instances
using descriptive methods.


Example usage:

Option option = Option.builder("a")
    .required(true)
    .longOpt("arg-name")
    .build();



Since:1.3
/**
     * A nested builder class to create <code>Option</code> instances
     * using descriptive methods.
     * <p>
     * Example usage:
     * <pre>
     * Option option = Option.builder("a")
     *     .required(true)
     *     .longOpt("arg-name")
     *     .build();
     * </pre>
     * 
     * @since 1.3
     */
    public static final class Builder 
    {
        
the name of the option 
/** the name of the option */
        private final String opt;

        
description of the option 
/** description of the option */
        private String description;

        
the long representation of the option 
/** the long representation of the option */
        private String longOpt;

        
the name of the argument for this option 
/** the name of the argument for this option */
        private String argName;

        
specifies whether this option is required to be present 
/** specifies whether this option is required to be present */
        private boolean required;

        
specifies whether the argument value of this Option is optional 
/** specifies whether the argument value of this Option is optional */
        private boolean optionalArg;

        
the number of argument values this option can have 
/** the number of argument values this option can have */
        private int numberOfArgs = UNINITIALIZED;

        
the type of this Option 
/** the type of this Option */
        private Class<?> type = String.class;

        
the character that is the value separator 
/** the character that is the value separator */
        private char valuesep;

        
Constructs a new Builder with the minimum
required parameters for an Option instance.

Params:
  • opt – short representation of the option
Throws:
/**
         * Constructs a new <code>Builder</code> with the minimum
         * required parameters for an <code>Option</code> instance.
         * 
         * @param opt short representation of the option
         * @throws IllegalArgumentException if there are any non valid Option characters in {@code opt}
         */
        private Builder(final String opt) throws IllegalArgumentException
        {
            OptionValidator.validateOption(opt);
            this.opt = opt;
        }
        
        
Sets the display name for the argument value.

Params:
  • argName – the display name for the argument value.
Returns:this builder, to allow method chaining
/**
         * Sets the display name for the argument value.
         *
         * @param argName the display name for the argument value.
         * @return this builder, to allow method chaining
         */
        public Builder argName(final String argName)
        {
            this.argName = argName;
            return this;
        }

        
Sets the description for this option.

Params:
  • description – the description of the option.
Returns:this builder, to allow method chaining
/**
         * Sets the description for this option.
         *
         * @param description the description of the option.
         * @return this builder, to allow method chaining
         */
        public Builder desc(final String description)
        {
            this.description = description;
            return this;
        }

        
Sets the long name of the Option.

Params:
  • longOpt – the long name of the Option
Returns:this builder, to allow method chaining
/**
         * Sets the long name of the Option.
         *
         * @param longOpt the long name of the Option
         * @return this builder, to allow method chaining
         */        
        public Builder longOpt(final String longOpt)
        {
            this.longOpt = longOpt;
            return this;
        }
        
        
Sets the number of argument values the Option can take.

Params:
  • numberOfArgs – the number of argument values
Returns:this builder, to allow method chaining
/** 
         * Sets the number of argument values the Option can take.
         *
         * @param numberOfArgs the number of argument values
         * @return this builder, to allow method chaining
         */        
        public Builder numberOfArgs(final int numberOfArgs)
        {
            this.numberOfArgs = numberOfArgs;
            return this;
        }
        
        
Sets whether the Option can have an optional argument.

Params:
  • isOptional – specifies whether the Option can have
an optional argument.
Returns:this builder, to allow method chaining
/**
         * Sets whether the Option can have an optional argument.
         *
         * @param isOptional specifies whether the Option can have
         * an optional argument.
         * @return this builder, to allow method chaining
         */
        public Builder optionalArg(final boolean isOptional)
        {
            this.optionalArg = isOptional;
            return this;
        }
        
        
Marks this Option as required.

Returns:this builder, to allow method chaining
/**
         * Marks this Option as required.
         *
         * @return this builder, to allow method chaining
         */
        public Builder required()
        {
            return required(true);
        }

        
Sets whether the Option is mandatory.

Params:
  • required – specifies whether the Option is mandatory
Returns:this builder, to allow method chaining
/**
         * Sets whether the Option is mandatory.
         *
         * @param required specifies whether the Option is mandatory
         * @return this builder, to allow method chaining
         */
        public Builder required(final boolean required)
        {
            this.required = required;
            return this;
        }
        
        
Sets the type of the Option.

Params:
  • type – the type of the Option
Returns:this builder, to allow method chaining
/**
         * Sets the type of the Option.
         *
         * @param type the type of the Option
         * @return this builder, to allow method chaining
         */
        public Builder type(final Class<?> type)
        {
            this.type = type;
            return this;
        }

        
The Option will use '=' as a means to separate argument value.

Returns:this builder, to allow method chaining
/**
         * The Option will use '=' as a means to separate argument value.
         *
         * @return this builder, to allow method chaining
         */
        public Builder valueSeparator()
        {
            return valueSeparator('=');
        }

        
The Option will use sep as a means to
separate argument values.


Example:

Option opt = Option.builder("D").hasArgs()
                                .valueSeparator('=')
                                .build();
Options options = new Options();
options.addOption(opt);
String[] args = {"-Dkey=value"};
CommandLineParser parser = new DefaultParser();
CommandLine line = parser.parse(options, args);
String propertyName = line.getOptionValues("D")[0];  // will be "key"
String propertyValue = line.getOptionValues("D")[1]; // will be "value"



Params:
  • sep – The value separator.
Returns:this builder, to allow method chaining
/**
         * The Option will use <code>sep</code> as a means to
         * separate argument values.
         * <p>
         * <b>Example:</b>
         * <pre>
         * Option opt = Option.builder("D").hasArgs()
         *                                 .valueSeparator('=')
         *                                 .build();
         * Options options = new Options();
         * options.addOption(opt);
         * String[] args = {"-Dkey=value"};
         * CommandLineParser parser = new DefaultParser();
         * CommandLine line = parser.parse(options, args);
         * String propertyName = line.getOptionValues("D")[0];  // will be "key"
         * String propertyValue = line.getOptionValues("D")[1]; // will be "value"
         * </pre>
         *
         * @param sep The value separator.
         * @return this builder, to allow method chaining
         */
        public Builder valueSeparator(final char sep)
        {
            valuesep = sep;
            return this;
        }
        
        
Indicates that the Option will require an argument.

Returns:this builder, to allow method chaining
/**
         * Indicates that the Option will require an argument.
         * 
         * @return this builder, to allow method chaining
         */
        public Builder hasArg()
        {
            return hasArg(true);
        }

        
Indicates if the Option has an argument or not.

Params:
  • hasArg – specifies whether the Option takes an argument or not
Returns:this builder, to allow method chaining
/**
         * Indicates if the Option has an argument or not.
         * 
         * @param hasArg specifies whether the Option takes an argument or not
         * @return this builder, to allow method chaining
         */
        public Builder hasArg(final boolean hasArg)
        {
            // set to UNINITIALIZED when no arg is specified to be compatible with OptionBuilder
            numberOfArgs = hasArg ? 1 : Option.UNINITIALIZED;
            return this;
        }

        
Indicates that the Option can have unlimited argument values.

Returns:this builder, to allow method chaining
/**
         * Indicates that the Option can have unlimited argument values.
         * 
         * @return this builder, to allow method chaining
         */
        public Builder hasArgs()
        {
            numberOfArgs = Option.UNLIMITED_VALUES;
            return this;
        }

        
Constructs an Option with the values declared by this Builder. 
Throws:
Returns:the new Option
/**
         * Constructs an Option with the values declared by this {@link Builder}.
         * 
         * @return the new {@link Option}
         * @throws IllegalArgumentException if neither {@code opt} or {@code longOpt} has been set
         */
        public Option build()
        {
            if (opt == null && longOpt == null)
            {
                throw new IllegalArgumentException("Either opt or longOpt must be specified");
            }
            return new Option(this);
        }
    }
}