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## org.apache.commons.lang.builder
Class CompareToBuilder

    java.lang.Object
      |
      +--org.apache.commons.lang.builder.CompareToBuilder

public class CompareToBuilder
extends Object

Assists in implementing `Comparable.compareTo(Object)` methods. It is consistent with `equals(Object)` and `hashcode()` built with `EqualsBuilder` and `HashCodeBuilder`.

Two Objects that compare equal using `equals(Object)` should normally also compare equal using `compareTo(Object)`.

All relevant fields should be included in the calculation of the comparison. Derived fields may be ignored. The same fields, in the same order, should be used in both `compareTo(Object)` and `equals(Object)`.

To use this class write code as follows:

     public class MyClass {
       String field1;
       int field2;
       boolean field3;

       ...

       public int compareTo(Object o) {
         MyClass myClass = (MyClass) o;
         return new CompareToBuilder()
           .appendSuper(super.compareTo(o)
           .append(this.field1, myClass.field1)
           .append(this.field2, myClass.field2)
           .append(this.field3, myClass.field3)
           .toComparison();
       }
     }

Alternatively, there are `reflectionCompare` methods that use reflection to determine the fields to append. Because fields can be private, `reflectionCompare` uses `AccessibleObject.setAccessible(boolean)` to bypass normal access control checks. This will fail under a security manager, unless the appropriate permissions are set up correctly. It is also slower than appending explicitly.

A typical implementation of `compareTo(Object)` using `reflectionCompare` looks like:

     public int compareTo(Object o) {
       return CompareToBuilder.reflectionCompare(this, o);
     }

Since:
  1.0
Version:
  $Id: CompareToBuilder.java 447139 2006-09-17 20:36:53Z bayard $
Author:
  Steve Downey, Stephen Colebourne, Gary Gregory, Pete Gieser
See Also:
  `Comparable`, `Object.equals(Object)`, `Object.hashCode()`, `EqualsBuilder`, `HashCodeBuilder`

Constructor Summary
`CompareToBuilder()` Constructor for CompareToBuilder.

Method Summary
`CompareToBuilder` | `append(boolean[] lhs, boolean[] rhs)` Appends to the `builder` the deep comparison of two `boolean` arrays.
`CompareToBuilder` | `append(boolean lhs, boolean rhs)` Appends to the `builder` the comparison of two `booleans`s.
`CompareToBuilder` | `append(byte[] lhs, byte[] rhs)` Appends to the `builder` the deep comparison of two `byte` arrays.
`CompareToBuilder` | `append(byte lhs, byte rhs)` Appends to the `builder` the comparison of two `byte`s.
`CompareToBuilder` | `append(char[] lhs, char[] rhs)` Appends to the `builder` the deep comparison of two `char` arrays.
`CompareToBuilder` | `append(char lhs, char rhs)` Appends to the `builder` the comparison of two `char`s.
`CompareToBuilder` | `append(double[] lhs, double[] rhs)` Appends to the `builder` the deep comparison of two `double` arrays.
`CompareToBuilder` | `append(double lhs, double rhs)` Appends to the `builder` the comparison of two `double`s.
`CompareToBuilder` | `append(float[] lhs, float[] rhs)` Appends to the `builder` the deep comparison of two `float` arrays.
`CompareToBuilder` | `append(float lhs, float rhs)` Appends to the `builder` the comparison of two `float`s.
`CompareToBuilder` | `append(int[] lhs, int[] rhs)` Appends to the `builder` the deep comparison of two `int` arrays.
`CompareToBuilder` | `append(int lhs, int rhs)` Appends to the `builder` the comparison of two `int`s.
`CompareToBuilder` | `append(long[] lhs, long[] rhs)` Appends to the `builder` the deep comparison of two `long` arrays.
`CompareToBuilder` | `append(long lhs, long rhs)` Appends to the `builder` the comparison of two `long`s.
`CompareToBuilder` | `append(Object[] lhs, Object[] rhs)` Appends to the `builder` the deep comparison of two `Object` arrays.
`CompareToBuilder` | `append(Object[] lhs, Object[] rhs, Comparator comparator)` Appends to the `builder` the deep comparison of two `Object` arrays.
`CompareToBuilder` | `append(Object lhs, Object rhs)` Appends to the `builder` the comparison of two `Object`s.
`CompareToBuilder` | `append(Object lhs, Object rhs, Comparator comparator)` Appends to the `builder` the comparison of two `Object`s.
`CompareToBuilder` | `append(short[] lhs, short[] rhs)` Appends to the `builder` the deep comparison of two `short` arrays.
`CompareToBuilder` | `append(short lhs, short rhs)` Appends to the `builder` the comparison of two `short`s.
`CompareToBuilder` | `appendSuper(int superCompareTo)` Appends to the `builder` the `compareTo(Object)` result of the superclass.
`static int` | `reflectionCompare(Object lhs, Object rhs)` Compares two `Object`s via reflection.
`static int` | `reflectionCompare(Object lhs, Object rhs, boolean compareTransients)` Compares two `Object`s via reflection.
`static int` | `reflectionCompare(Object lhs, Object rhs, boolean compareTransients, Class reflectUpToClass)` Compares two `Object`s via reflection.
`static int` | `reflectionCompare(Object lhs, Object rhs, boolean compareTransients, Class reflectUpToClass, String[] excludeFields)` Compares two `Object`s via reflection.
`static int` | `reflectionCompare(Object lhs, Object rhs, Collection excludeFields)` Compares two `Object`s via reflection.
`static int` | `reflectionCompare(Object lhs, Object rhs, String[] excludeFields)` Compares two `Object`s via reflection.
`int` | `toComparison()` Returns a negative integer, a positive integer, or zero as the `builder` has judged the "left-hand" side as less than, greater than, or equal to the "right-hand" side.

Methods inherited from class java.lang.Object
`clone, equals, finalize, getClass, hashCode, notify, notifyAll, toString, wait, wait, wait`

Constructor Detail

### CompareToBuilder

    public CompareToBuilder()

  Constructor for CompareToBuilder.

  Starts off assuming that the objects are equal. Multiple calls are then made to the various append methods, followed by a call to `toComparison()` to get the result.

Method Detail

### reflectionCompare

    public static int reflectionCompare(Object lhs,
                                        Object rhs)

  Compares two `Object`s via reflection.

  Fields can be private, thus `AccessibleObject.setAccessible` is used to bypass normal access control checks. This will fail under a security manager unless the appropriate permissions are set.

  - Static fields will not be compared
  - Transient members will be not be compared, as they are likely derived fields
  - Superclass fields will be compared

  If both `lhs` and `rhs` are `null`, they are considered equal.

  Parameters:
    `lhs` - left-hand object
    `rhs` - right-hand object
  Returns:
    a negative integer, zero, or a positive integer as `lhs` is less than, equal to, or greater than `rhs`
  Throws:
    `NullPointerException` - if either (but not both) parameters are `null`
    `ClassCastException` - if `rhs` is not assignment-compatible with `lhs`

### reflectionCompare

    public static int reflectionCompare(Object lhs,
                                        Object rhs,
                                        boolean compareTransients)

  Compares two `Object`s via reflection.

  Fields can be private, thus `AccessibleObject.setAccessible` is used to bypass normal access control checks. This will fail under a security manager unless the appropriate permissions are set.

  - Static fields will not be compared
  - If `compareTransients` is `true`, compares transient members. Otherwise ignores them, as they are likely derived fields.
  - Superclass fields will be compared

  If both `lhs` and `rhs` are `null`, they are considered equal.

  Parameters:
    `lhs` - left-hand object
    `rhs` - right-hand object
    `compareTransients` - whether to compare transient fields
  Returns:
    a negative integer, zero, or a positive integer as `lhs` is less than, equal to, or greater than `rhs`
  Throws:
    `NullPointerException` - if either `lhs` or `rhs` (but not both) is `null`
    `ClassCastException` - if `rhs` is not assignment-compatible with `lhs`

### reflectionCompare

    public static int reflectionCompare(Object lhs,
                                        Object rhs,
                                        Collection excludeFields)

  Compares two `Object`s via reflection.

  Fields can be private, thus `AccessibleObject.setAccessible` is used to bypass normal access control checks. This will fail under a security manager unless the appropriate permissions are set.

  - Static fields will not be compared
  - If `compareTransients` is `true`, compares transient members. Otherwise ignores them, as they are likely derived fields.
  - Superclass fields will be compared

  If both `lhs` and `rhs` are `null`, they are considered equal.

  Parameters:
    `lhs` - left-hand object
    `rhs` - right-hand object
    `excludeFields` - Collection of String fields to exclude
  Returns:
    a negative integer, zero, or a positive integer as `lhs` is less than, equal to, or greater than `rhs`
  Throws:
    `NullPointerException` - if either `lhs` or `rhs` (but not both) is `null`
    `ClassCastException` - if `rhs` is not assignment-compatible with `lhs`
  Since:
    2.2

### reflectionCompare

    public static int reflectionCompare(Object lhs,
                                        Object rhs,
                                        String[] excludeFields)

  Compares two `Object`s via reflection.

  Fields can be private, thus `AccessibleObject.setAccessible` is used to bypass normal access control checks. This will fail under a security manager unless the appropriate permissions are set.

  - Static fields will not be compared
  - If `compareTransients` is `true`, compares transient members. Otherwise ignores them, as they are likely derived fields.
  - Superclass fields will be compared

  If both `lhs` and `rhs` are `null`, they are considered equal.

  Parameters:
    `lhs` - left-hand object
    `rhs` - right-hand object
    `excludeFields` - array of fields to exclude
  Returns:
    a negative integer, zero, or a positive integer as `lhs` is less than, equal to, or greater than `rhs`
  Throws:
    `NullPointerException` - if either `lhs` or `rhs` (but not both) is `null`
    `ClassCastException` - if `rhs` is not assignment-compatible with `lhs`
  Since:
    2.2

### reflectionCompare

    public static int reflectionCompare(Object lhs,
                                        Object rhs,
                                        boolean compareTransients,
                                        Class reflectUpToClass)

  Compares two `Object`s via reflection.

  Fields can be private, thus `AccessibleObject.setAccessible` is used to bypass normal access control checks. This will fail under a security manager unless the appropriate permissions are set.

  - Static fields will not be compared
  - If the `compareTransients` is `true`, compares transient members. Otherwise ignores them, as they are likely derived fields.
  - Compares superclass fields up to and including `reflectUpToClass`. If `reflectUpToClass` is `null`, compares all superclass fields.

  If both `lhs` and `rhs` are `null`, they are considered equal.

  Parameters:
    `lhs` - left-hand object
    `rhs` - right-hand object
    `compareTransients` - whether to compare transient fields
    `reflectUpToClass` - last superclass for which fields are compared
  Returns:
    a negative integer, zero, or a positive integer as `lhs` is less than, equal to, or greater than `rhs`
  Throws:
    `NullPointerException` - if either `lhs` or `rhs` (but not both) is `null`
    `ClassCastException` - if `rhs` is not assignment-compatible with `lhs`
  Since:
    2.0

### reflectionCompare

    public static int reflectionCompare(Object lhs,
                                        Object rhs,
                                        boolean compareTransients,
                                        Class reflectUpToClass,
                                        String[] excludeFields)

  Compares two `Object`s via reflection.

  Fields can be private, thus `AccessibleObject.setAccessible` is used to bypass normal access control checks. This will fail under a security manager unless the appropriate permissions are set.

  - Static fields will not be compared
  - If the `compareTransients` is `true`, compares transient members. Otherwise ignores them, as they are likely derived fields.
  - Compares superclass fields up to and including `reflectUpToClass`. If `reflectUpToClass` is `null`, compares all superclass fields.

  If both `lhs` and `rhs` are `null`, they are considered equal.

  Parameters:
    `lhs` - left-hand object
    `rhs` - right-hand object
    `compareTransients` - whether to compare transient fields
    `reflectUpToClass` - last superclass for which fields are compared
    `excludeFields` - fields to exclude
  Returns:
    a negative integer, zero, or a positive integer as `lhs` is less than, equal to, or greater than `rhs`
  Throws:
    `NullPointerException` - if either `lhs` or `rhs` (but not both) is `null`
    `ClassCastException` - if `rhs` is not assignment-compatible with `lhs`
  Since:
    2.2

### appendSuper

    public CompareToBuilder appendSuper(int superCompareTo)

  Appends to the `builder` the `compareTo(Object)` result of the superclass.

  Parameters:
    `superCompareTo` - result of calling `super.compareTo(Object)`
  Returns:
    this - used to chain append calls
  Since:
    2.0

### append

    public CompareToBuilder append(Object lhs,
                                   Object rhs)

  Appends to the `builder` the comparison of two `Object`s.

  1. Check if `lhs == rhs`
  2. Check if either `lhs` or `rhs` is `null`, a `null` object is less than a non-`null` object
  3. Check the object contents

  `lhs` must either be an array or implement `Comparable`.

  Parameters:
    `lhs` - left-hand object
    `rhs` - right-hand object
  Returns:
    this - used to chain append calls
  Throws:
    `ClassCastException` - if `rhs` is not assignment-compatible with `lhs`

### append

    public CompareToBuilder append(Object lhs,
                                   Object rhs,
                                   Comparator comparator)

  Appends to the `builder` the comparison of two `Object`s.

  1. Check if `lhs == rhs`
  2. Check if either `lhs` or `rhs` is `null`, a `null` object is less than a non-`null` object
  3. Check the object contents

  If `lhs` is an array, array comparison methods will be used. Otherwise `comparator` will be used to compare the objects. If `comparator` is `null`, `lhs` must implement `Comparable` instead.

  Parameters:
    `lhs` - left-hand object
    `rhs` - right-hand object
    `comparator` - `Comparator` used to compare the objects, `null` means treat lhs as `Comparable`
  Returns:
    this - used to chain append calls
  Throws:
    `ClassCastException` - if `rhs` is not assignment-compatible with `lhs`
  Since:
    2.0

### append

    public CompareToBuilder append(long lhs,
                                   long rhs)

  Appends to the `builder` the comparison of two `long`s.
  Parameters:
    `lhs` - left-hand value
    `rhs` - right-hand value
  Returns:
    this - used to chain append calls

### append

    public CompareToBuilder append(int lhs,
                                   int rhs)

  Appends to the `builder` the comparison of two `int`s.
  Parameters:
    `lhs` - left-hand value
    `rhs` - right-hand value
  Returns:
    this - used to chain append calls

### append

    public CompareToBuilder append(short lhs,
                                   short rhs)

  Appends to the `builder` the comparison of two `short`s.
  Parameters:
    `lhs` - left-hand value
    `rhs` - right-hand value
  Returns:
    this - used to chain append calls

### append

    public CompareToBuilder append(char lhs,
                                   char rhs)

  Appends to the `builder` the comparison of two `char`s.
  Parameters:
    `lhs` - left-hand value
    `rhs` - right-hand value
  Returns:
    this - used to chain append calls

### append

    public CompareToBuilder append(byte lhs,
                                   byte rhs)

  Appends to the `builder` the comparison of two `byte`s.
  Parameters:
    `lhs` - left-hand value
    `rhs` - right-hand value
  Returns:
    this - used to chain append calls

### append

    public CompareToBuilder append(double lhs,
                                   double rhs)

  Appends to the `builder` the comparison of two `double`s.

  This handles NaNs, Infinities, and `-0.0`.

  It is compatible with the hash code generated by `HashCodeBuilder`.

  Parameters:
    `lhs` - left-hand value
    `rhs` - right-hand value
  Returns:
    this - used to chain append calls

### append

    public CompareToBuilder append(float lhs,
                                   float rhs)

  Appends to the `builder` the comparison of two `float`s.

  This handles NaNs, Infinities, and `-0.0`.

  It is compatible with the hash code generated by `HashCodeBuilder`.

  Parameters:
    `lhs` - left-hand value
    `rhs` - right-hand value
  Returns:
    this - used to chain append calls

### append

    public CompareToBuilder append(boolean lhs,
                                   boolean rhs)

  Appends to the `builder` the comparison of two `booleans`s.
  Parameters:
    `lhs` - left-hand value
    `rhs` - right-hand value
  Returns:
    this - used to chain append calls

### append

    public CompareToBuilder append(Object[] lhs,
                                   Object[] rhs)

  Appends to the `builder` the deep comparison of two `Object` arrays.

  1. Check if arrays are the same using `==`
  2. Check if for `null`, `null` is less than non-`null`
  3. Check array length, a short length array is less than a long length array
  4. Check array contents element by element using `append(Object, Object, Comparator)`

  This method will also will be called for the top level of multi-dimensional, ragged, and multi-typed arrays.

  Parameters:
    `lhs` - left-hand array
    `rhs` - right-hand array
  Returns:
    this - used to chain append calls
  Throws:
    `ClassCastException` - if `rhs` is not assignment-compatible with `lhs`

### append

    public CompareToBuilder append(Object[] lhs,
                                   Object[] rhs,
                                   Comparator comparator)

  Appends to the `builder` the deep comparison of two `Object` arrays.

  1. Check if arrays are the same using `==`
  2. Check if for `null`, `null` is less than non-`null`
  3. Check array length, a short length array is less than a long length array
  4. Check array contents element by element using `append(Object, Object, Comparator)`

  This method will also will be called for the top level of multi-dimensional, ragged, and multi-typed arrays.

  Parameters:
    `lhs` - left-hand array
    `rhs` - right-hand array
    `comparator` - `Comparator` to use to compare the array elements, `null` means to treat `lhs` elements as `Comparable`.
  Returns:
    this - used to chain append calls
  Throws:
    `ClassCastException` - if `rhs` is not assignment-compatible with `lhs`
  Since:
    2.0

### append

    public CompareToBuilder append(long[] lhs,
                                   long[] rhs)

  Appends to the `builder` the deep comparison of two `long` arrays.

  1. Check if arrays are the same using `==`
  2. Check if for `null`, `null` is less than non-`null`
  3. Check array length, a shorter length array is less than a longer length array
  4. Check array contents element by element using `append(long, long)`
  Parameters:
    `lhs` - left-hand array
    `rhs` - right-hand array
  Returns:
    this - used to chain append calls

### append

    public CompareToBuilder append(int[] lhs,
                                   int[] rhs)

  Appends to the `builder` the deep comparison of two `int` arrays.

  1. Check if arrays are the same using `==`
  2. Check if for `null`, `null` is less than non-`null`
  3. Check array length, a shorter length array is less than a longer length array
  4. Check array contents element by element using `append(int, int)`
  Parameters:
    `lhs` - left-hand array
    `rhs` - right-hand array
  Returns:
    this - used to chain append calls

### append

    public CompareToBuilder append(short[] lhs,
                                   short[] rhs)

  Appends to the `builder` the deep comparison of two `short` arrays.

  1. Check if arrays are the same using `==`
  2. Check if for `null`, `null` is less than non-`null`
  3. Check array length, a shorter length array is less than a longer length array
  4. Check array contents element by element using `append(short, short)`
  Parameters:
    `lhs` - left-hand array
    `rhs` - right-hand array
  Returns:
    this - used to chain append calls

### append

    public CompareToBuilder append(char[] lhs,
                                   char[] rhs)

  Appends to the `builder` the deep comparison of two `char` arrays.

  1. Check if arrays are the same using `==`
  2. Check if for `null`, `null` is less than non-`null`
  3. Check array length, a shorter length array is less than a longer length array
  4. Check array contents element by element using `append(char, char)`
  Parameters:
    `lhs` - left-hand array
    `rhs` - right-hand array
  Returns:
    this - used to chain append calls

### append

    public CompareToBuilder append(byte[] lhs,
                                   byte[] rhs)

  Appends to the `builder` the deep comparison of two `byte` arrays.

  1. Check if arrays are the same using `==`
  2. Check if for `null`, `null` is less than non-`null`
  3. Check array length, a shorter length array is less than a longer length array
  4. Check array contents element by element using `append(byte, byte)`
  Parameters:
    `lhs` - left-hand array
    `rhs` - right-hand array
  Returns:
    this - used to chain append calls

### append

    public CompareToBuilder append(double[] lhs,
                                   double[] rhs)

  Appends to the `builder` the deep comparison of two `double` arrays.

  1. Check if arrays are the same using `==`
  2. Check if for `null`, `null` is less than non-`null`
  3. Check array length, a shorter length array is less than a longer length array
  4. Check array contents element by element using `append(double, double)`
  Parameters:
    `lhs` - left-hand array
    `rhs` - right-hand array
  Returns:
    this - used to chain append calls

### append

    public CompareToBuilder append(float[] lhs,
                                   float[] rhs)

  Appends to the `builder` the deep comparison of two `float` arrays.

  1. Check if arrays are the same using `==`
  2. Check if for `null`, `null` is less than non-`null`
  3. Check array length, a shorter length array is less than a longer length array
  4. Check array contents element by element using `append(float, float)`
  Parameters:
    `lhs` - left-hand array
    `rhs` - right-hand array
  Returns:
    this - used to chain append calls

### append

    public CompareToBuilder append(boolean[] lhs,
                                   boolean[] rhs)

  Appends to the `builder` the deep comparison of two `boolean` arrays.

  1. Check if arrays are the same using `==`
  2. Check if for `null`, `null` is less than non-`null`
  3. Check array length, a shorter length array is less than a longer length array
  4. Check array contents element by element using `append(boolean, boolean)`
  Parameters:
    `lhs` - left-hand array
    `rhs` - right-hand array
  Returns:
    this - used to chain append calls

### toComparison

    public int toComparison()

  Returns a negative integer, a positive integer, or zero as the `builder` has judged the "left-hand" side as less than, greater than, or equal to the "right-hand" side.
  Returns:
    final comparison result

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