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package org.apache.commons.collections;

Defines a functor interface implemented by classes that create objects.

A Factory creates an object without using an input parameter. If an input parameter is required, then Transformer is more appropriate. 
 Standard implementations of common factories are provided by FactoryUtils. These include factories that return a constant, a copy of a prototype or a new instance. 
Author:
Arron Bates, Stephen Colebourne
Since:
Commons Collections 2.1
Version:
$Revision: 646777 $ $Date: 2008-04-10 14:33:15 +0200 (Thu, 10 Apr 2008) $/**
 * Defines a functor interface implemented by classes that create objects.
 * <p>
 * A <code>Factory</code> creates an object without using an input parameter.
 * If an input parameter is required, then {@link Transformer} is more appropriate.
 * <p>
 * Standard implementations of common factories are provided by
 * {@link FactoryUtils}. These include factories that return a constant,
 * a copy of a prototype or a new instance.
 * 
 * @since Commons Collections 2.1
 * @version $Revision: 646777 $ $Date: 2008-04-10 14:33:15 +0200 (Thu, 10 Apr 2008) $
 *
 * @author Arron Bates
 * @author Stephen Colebourne
 */
public interface Factory {

    
Create a new object.
Throws:
FunctorException – (runtime) if the factory cannot create an object
Returns:
a new object/**
     * Create a new object.
     *
     * @return a new object
     * @throws FunctorException (runtime) if the factory cannot create an object
     */
    public Object create();

}