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package org.apache.commons.collections;

Defines a functor interface implemented by classes that perform a predicate
test on an object.

A Predicate is the object equivalent of an if statement.
It uses the input object to return a true or false value, and is often used in
validation or filtering.
 Standard implementations of common predicates are provided by PredicateUtils. These include true, false, instanceof, equals, and, or, not, method invokation and null testing. 
Author:
James Strachan, Stephen Colebourne
Since:
Commons Collections 1.0
Version:
$Revision: 646777 $ $Date: 2008-04-10 14:33:15 +0200 (Thu, 10 Apr 2008) $/**
 * Defines a functor interface implemented by classes that perform a predicate
 * test on an object.
 * <p>
 * A <code>Predicate</code> is the object equivalent of an <code>if</code> statement.
 * It uses the input object to return a true or false value, and is often used in
 * validation or filtering.
 * <p>
 * Standard implementations of common predicates are provided by
 * {@link PredicateUtils}. These include true, false, instanceof, equals, and,
 * or, not, method invokation and null testing.
 * 
 * @since Commons Collections 1.0
 * @version $Revision: 646777 $ $Date: 2008-04-10 14:33:15 +0200 (Thu, 10 Apr 2008) $
 * 
 * @author James Strachan
 * @author Stephen Colebourne
 */
public interface Predicate {

    
Use the specified parameter to perform a test that returns true or false.
Params:
object –  the object to evaluate, should not be changed
Throws:
ClassCastException – (runtime) if the input is the wrong class
IllegalArgumentException – (runtime) if the input is invalid
FunctorException – (runtime) if the predicate encounters a problem
Returns:
true or false/**
     * Use the specified parameter to perform a test that returns true or false.
     *
     * @param object  the object to evaluate, should not be changed
     * @return true or false
     * @throws ClassCastException (runtime) if the input is the wrong class
     * @throws IllegalArgumentException (runtime) if the input is invalid
     * @throws FunctorException (runtime) if the predicate encounters a problem
     */
    public boolean evaluate(Object object);

}