src/java/org/apache/turbine/services/avaloncomponent/MerlinComponentService.java

package org.apache.turbine.services.avaloncomponent;

/* ====================================================================
 * The Apache Software License, Version 1.1
 *
 * Copyright (c) 2001-2003 The Apache Software Foundation.  All rights
 * reserved.
 *
 * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
 * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions
 * are met:
 *
 * 1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
 *    notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
 *
 * 2. 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.
 *
 * 3. The end-user documentation included with the redistribution,
 *    if any, must include the following acknowledgment:
 *       "This product includes software developed by the
 *        Apache Software Foundation (http://www.apache.org/)."
 *    Alternately, this acknowledgment may appear in the software itself,
 *    if and wherever such third-party acknowledgments normally appear.
 *
 * 4. The names "Apache" and "Apache Software Foundation" and
 *    "Apache Turbine" must not be used to endorse or promote products
 *    derived from this software without prior written permission. For
 *    written permission, please contact apache@apache.org.
 *
 * 5. Products derived from this software may not be called "Apache",
 *    "Apache Turbine", nor may "Apache" appear in their name, without
 *    prior written permission of the Apache Software Foundation.
 *
 * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED ``AS IS'' AND ANY EXPRESSED 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 APACHE SOFTWARE FOUNDATION OR
 * ITS 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.
 * ====================================================================
 *
 * This software consists of voluntary contributions made by many
 * individuals on behalf of the Apache Software Foundation.  For more
 * information on the Apache Software Foundation, please see
 * <http://www.apache.org/>.
 */

import org.apache.turbine.services.Service;

/**
 * This service allows access to avalon components running in a Merlin
 * container.  This is not ready for Prime Time yet.
 *
 * @author <a href="mailto:quintonm@bellsouth.net">Quinton McCombs</a>
 * @author <a href="mailto:hps@intermeta.de">Henning P. Schmiedehausen</a>
 * @version $Id$
 */
public interface MerlinComponentService
        extends Service
{
    /** The publically visible name of the service */
    String SERVICE_NAME = "MerlinComponentService";

    /** property specifing file name of the component block files path */
    String BLOCK_CONFIG_KEY = "block.path";

    /** property specifing file name of the default path for block files */
    String BLOCK_CONFIG_PATH = "/WEB-INF/conf/merlin";

	/** property specifing key for finding the kernal file */
	String KERNAL_CONFIG_KEY = "kernel";

	/** property specifing default file name for kernal */
	String KERNAL_CONFIG_PATH = "/WEB-INF/conf/merlin/kernel.xml";
	

    /** property for the Components to look up */
    String COMPONENT_LOOKUP_KEY = "lookup";

    /** Key used in the context for defining the application root */
    String COMPONENT_APP_ROOT = "componentAppRoot";

    /**
     * Returns an instance of the named component
     *
     * @param roleName Name of the role the component fills.
     * @return an instance of the named component
     * @throws Exception generic exception
     */
    public Object lookup(String path) throws Exception;

    /**
     * Releases the component
     *
     * @param source. The path to the handler for this component
     * For example, if the component is a java.sql.Connection
     * object sourced from the "/turbine-merlin/datasource" 
     * component, the call would be :-
     * release("/turbine-merlin/datasource", conn);
     * @param component the component to release
     */
    public void release(Object component);

}