/*$************************************************************************************************
 **
 ** $Id: Factory.java 831 2006-05-01 00:27:23Z Desruisseaux $
 **
 ** $URL: http://svn.code.sf.net/p/geoapi/code/branches/2.0.x/geoapi/src/main/java/org/opengis/referencing/Factory.java $
 **
 ** Copyright (C) 2003-2005 Open GIS Consortium, Inc.
 ** All Rights Reserved. http://www.opengis.org/legal/
 **
 *************************************************************************************************/
package org.opengis.referencing;

// OpenGIS dependencies
import org.opengis.metadata.citation.Citation;

// Annotations
import org.opengis.annotation.Extension;


/**
 * Base interface for all factories. Factories can be grouped in two categories:
 * 

 * 

 *   
{@linkplain AuthorityFactory Authority factories} creates objects from
 *       a compact string defined by an authority.
 *   
{@linkplain ObjectFactory Object factories} allows applications
 *       to make objects that cannot be created by an authority factory.
 *       This factory is very flexible, whereas the authority factory is
 *       easier to use.
 * 
 *
 * @author Martin Desruisseaux (IRD)
 * @since GeoAPI 1.0
 */
@Extension
public interface Factory {
    /**
     * Returns the vendor responsible for creating this factory implementation. Many implementations
     * may be available for the same factory interface. Implementations are usually managed by a
     * {@linkplain javax.imageio.spi.ServiceRegistry service registry}.
     *
     * @return The vendor for this factory implementation.
     */
    @Extension
    Citation getVendor();
}