/*
 * Referenced.java -  Reference counter for re-usable objects.
 *
 * Copyright (c) 1996 Chuck McManis, All Rights Reserved.
 *
 * Permission to use, copy, modify, and distribute this software
 * and its documentation for NON-COMMERCIAL purposes and without
 * fee is hereby granted provided that this copyright notice
 * appears in all copies.
 *
 * CHUCK MCMANIS MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES ABOUT THE
 * SUITABILITY OF THE SOFTWARE, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING
 * BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY,
 * FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT. CHUCK MCMANIS
 * SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES SUFFERED BY LICENSEE AS A RESULT
 * OF USING, MODIFYING OR DISTRIBUTING THIS SOFTWARE OR ITS DERIVATIVES.
 */

package util.comm;

/**
 * This interface defines those objects that need to maintain a reference
 * count so that they can be reused cleanly.
 */
public interface Referenced {

    /**
     * Add one to this object's reference count.
     * @returns current ref count (post add)
     */
   public abstract int addRefCount();

   /**
    * Subtract one from this object's reference count,
    * @returns current ref count (post decrement)
    */
   public abstract int decRefCount();

   /**
    * Return the current Reference count.
    */
    public abstract int refCount();
}