/*$************************************************************************************************
 **
 ** $Id: OperationMethod.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/operation/OperationMethod.java $
 **
 ** Copyright (C) 2003-2005 Open GIS Consortium, Inc.
 ** All Rights Reserved. http://www.opengis.org/legal/
 **
 *************************************************************************************************/
package org.opengis.referencing.operation;

// OpenGIS direct dependencies
import org.opengis.referencing.IdentifiedObject;
import org.opengis.parameter.ParameterDescriptorGroup;
import org.opengis.util.InternationalString;

// Annotations
import org.opengis.annotation.UML;
import static org.opengis.annotation.Obligation.*;
import static org.opengis.annotation.Specification.*;


/**
 * Definition of an algorithm used to perform a coordinate operation. Most operation
 * methods use a number of operation parameters, although some coordinate conversions
 * use none. Each coordinate operation using the method assigns values to these parameters.
 *  
 * @version Abstract specification 2.0
 * @author ISO/DIS 19111
 * @author Martin Desruisseaux (IRD)
 * @since GeoAPI 1.0
 *
 * @see Operation
 */
@UML(identifier="CC_OperationMethod", specification=ISO_19111)
public interface OperationMethod extends IdentifiedObject {
    /**
     * Key for the {@value} property.
     * This is used for setting the value to be returned by {@link #getFormula}.
     *
     * @see #getFormula
     */
    String FORMULA_KEY = "formula";

    /**
     * Formula(s) or procedure used by this operation method. This may be a reference to a
     * publication. Note that the operation method may not be analytic, in which case this
     * attribute references or contains the procedure, not an analytic formula.
     */
    @UML(identifier="formula", obligation=MANDATORY, specification=ISO_19111)
    InternationalString getFormula();

    /**
     * Number of dimensions in the source CRS of this operation method.
     *
     * @return The dimension of source CRS.
     */
    @UML(identifier="sourceDimensions", obligation=MANDATORY, specification=ISO_19111)
    int getSourceDimensions();

    /**
     * Number of dimensions in the target CRS of this operation method.
     *
     * @return The dimension of target CRS.
     */
    @UML(identifier="targetDimensions", obligation=MANDATORY, specification=ISO_19111)
    int getTargetDimensions();

    /**
     * The set of parameters.
     *
     * @return The parameters, or an empty group if none.
     */
    @UML(identifier="usesParameter", obligation=MANDATORY, specification=ISO_19111)
    ParameterDescriptorGroup getParameters();
}