http://nexus.sonatype.org/oss-repository-hosting.html/ST4: StringTemplate is a java template engine for generating source code, web pages, emails, or any other formatted text output. StringTemplate is particularly good at multi-targeted code generators, multiple site skins, and internationalization/localization. It evolved over years of effort developing jGuru.com. StringTemplate also powers the ANTLR 3 and 4 code generator. Its distinguishing characteristic is that unlike other engines, it strictly enforces model-view separation. Strict separation makes websites and code generators more flexible and maintainable; it also provides an excellent defense against malicious template authors. 
/*
 * [The "BSD license"]
 *  Copyright (c) 2011 Terence Parr
 *  All rights reserved.
 *
 *  Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
 *  modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions
 *  are met:
 *  1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
 *     notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
 *  2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
 *     notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the
 *     documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
 *  3. The name of the author may not be used to endorse or promote products
 *     derived from this software without specific prior written permission.
 *
 *  THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR ``AS IS'' AND ANY EXPRESS OR
 *  IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES
 *  OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED.
 *  IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT,
 *  INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT
 *  NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE,
 *  DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY
 *  THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT
 *  (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF
 *  THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
 */
package org.stringtemplate.v4;

import org.stringtemplate.v4.misc.STNoSuchPropertyException;

import java.util.Map;


An object that knows how to convert property references to appropriate actions on a model object. Some models, like JDBC, are interface based (we aren't supposed to care about implementation classes). Some other models don't follow StringTemplate's getter method naming convention. So, if we have an object of type M with property method M.foo() (as opposed to M.getFoo()), we can register a model adaptor object, adap, that converts a lookup for property foo into a call to M.foo(). 
 Given <a.foo>, we look up foo via the adaptor if a instanceof M.


/**
 * An object that knows how to convert property references to appropriate
 * actions on a model object. Some models, like JDBC, are interface based (we
 * aren't supposed to care about implementation classes). Some other models
 * don't follow StringTemplate's getter method naming convention. So, if we have
 * an object of type {@code M} with property method {@code M.foo()} (as opposed
 * to {@code M.getFoo()}), we can register a model adaptor object, {@code adap},
 * that converts a lookup for property {@code foo} into a call to
 * {@code M.foo()}.
 * <p>
 * Given {@code <a.foo>}, we look up {@code foo} via the adaptor if
 * {@code a instanceof M}.</p>
 */
public interface ModelAdaptor {
	
Lookup property name in o and return its value. 
 property is normally a String but doesn't have to be. E.g., if o is Map, property could be any key type. If we need to convert to String, then it's done by ST and passed in here.


/**
	 * Lookup property name in {@code o} and return its value.
	 * <p>
	 * {@code property} is normally a {@code String} but doesn't have to be.
	 * E.g., if {@code o} is {@link Map}, {@code property} could be
	 * any key type. If we need to convert to {@code String}, then it's done by
	 * {@code ST} and passed in here.</p>
	 */
	Object getProperty(Interpreter interp, ST self, Object o, Object property, String propertyName)
		throws STNoSuchPropertyException;
}