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Method API

Table of contents

  1. Description
  2. Features
    1. getArgument
    2. getArguments
    3. setReturnValue
    4. getReturnValue
    5. getOriginalReturnValue
  3. Considerations and Guidelines

Since: 0.5.0
Context: Batch
Category: Context Specific

Description

The Method API is responsible for obtaining and modifying information on the extension point in the designed extension. It is needed to know the whole structure and functionality of the implemented method at the extension point in order to exploit the full potential of the Method API.

Features

getArgument

The method receives the value of an argument at the specific index from the extension point of the designed extension. It is important to know the structure of the designed method to take the specific arguments.
Example:

public void GetArgumentExample() {
  //Specify type for returned argument, String or Integer
  String argument = method.getArgument(0);
}

getArguments

The method receives an array of all arguments from the extension point of the designed extension.

Example:

public void GetArgumentsExample() {
  //Object is used as type for the array in this example, because the arguments can be mix of String and Integer
  //Always strive towards being as specific as possible with types. If all arguments are of type String, use String array
  Object[] arguments = method.getArguments();
  int i = 1;
  if(arguments == null || arguments.length == 0) {
    logger.info("Array is empty, there are no arguments from an extension point.");
  } else {
    for(Object argumentsElement : arguments) {
      logger.info("Argument no.${i} is ${argumentsElement.toString()}");
      i++;
    }
  }
}

setReturnValue

The method sets the return value inside an overriden method.

Example:

public void SetReturnValueExample() {
  //In that case extension point has boolean type return, etc.
  method.setReturnValue(true);
}

getReturnValue

The method gets the value returned from an overriden method.

Example:

public void GetReturnValueExample() {
  //The extracted value from the method depends on the type of value returned by the extension point.
  String methodReturnValue = method.getReturnValue();  
}

getOriginalReturnValue

Similar to the getReturnValue with the difference, that it will always get the original value returned from an overriden method.

Example:

public void GetOriginalReturnValueExample() {
  //The extracted value from the method depends on the type of value returned by the extension point.
  String methodReturnValue = method.getOriginalReturnValue();
}

Considerations and Guidelines

Method API is characterised by operations on the extension point on which it is based. It allows to modify and retreive data from the extension method.