package logging;

import visualisation.HybridWindow;
import visualisation.ParameterArea;

/**
 * This class provides the basic algorithm. 
 * Use it in assoziation with packages logging and visualization. 
 * Extend it by the members you need and overwrite LogElementList<LOG>run() which contains the specific algorithmic procedures. 
 * Therein you should fill a LogElementList and return it. 
 * Parameters for algorithm processing are read from member parameterArea that ist part of the user interface. 
 * @see LogElement
 * @see LogElementList
 * @see HybridWindow
 * @see ParameterArea
 * @author Bj�rn Strobel<br><small>
 * University of Cooperative Education Stuttgart, 
 * Campus Horb<br>
 * Department of Information Technology<br>
 * it2003<br></small>
 */
public abstract class Algorithm<PARAM extends ParameterArea,LOG extends LogElement> {
	
	/**Algorithm title.*/
	protected String title;
	/**Algorithm parameter area from which the algorithm gets its parameters.*/
	protected PARAM parameterArea;

	/**Standard constructor.*/
	public Algorithm() {
		super();
		// TODO Auto-generated constructor stub
	}
	
	/**Creates algorithm with specified title and parameter area.*/
	public Algorithm(PARAM parameterArea, String title){
		this.parameterArea=parameterArea;
		this.title=title;
	}
	
	/**
	 * Runs the algorithm with parameters specified in parameterArea. 
	 * Returns the LogElementList produced by the algorithm processing. 
	 * To use this class you will have to overwrite this method. 
	 * @return a LogElementList containing the algorithm processings single steps 
	 */
	public abstract LogElementList<LOG>run();
	//return new LogElementList<LOG>()
	
	/**
	 * Returns the algorithm title.
	 * @return the algorithm title.
	 */
	public String getTitle(){
		return title;
	}
	
	/**
	 * Sets the algorithm's title.
	 * @param title the algorithm's title
	 */
	public void setTitle(String title){
		this.title=title;
	}
	
	/**
	 * Sets the algorithm's parameter area.
	 * @param parameterArea the algorithm's parameter area
	 */
	public void setParameterArea(PARAM parameterArea){
		this.parameterArea=parameterArea;
	}
	
	/**
	 * Returns the algorithm's parameter area.
	 * @return the algorithm's parameter area
	 */
	public PARAM getParameterArea(){
		return parameterArea;
	}
}