uk.ac.starlink.topcat.interop

Interface TopcatCommunicator

All Known Implementing Classes:

PlasticCommunicator, SampCommunicator

public interface TopcatCommunicator

Abstract interface for inter-application messaging requirements of TOPCAT. This can be implemented by SAMP or PLASTIC (or others).

Since:

4 Sep 2008

Author:

Mark Taylor

Method Summary

Modifier and Type	Method and Description
void	addConnectionListener(ChangeListener listener) Adds a listener which will be notified any time that connection status may have changed.
ImageActivity	createImageActivity() Returns an object which can be used to display images.
Transmitter	createImageTransmitter(DensityWindow densityWindow) Returns an object that can send the density map currently displayed in the density plot window to other applications as a FITS image.
JComponent	createInfoPanel() Optionally returns a panel which can be displayed in the control window to show communications status.
Transmitter	createResourceListTransmitter(uk.ac.starlink.vo.RegistryPanel regPanel, String resourceType) Returns an object that can send the currently displayed resources from a registry panel.
RowActivity	createRowActivity() Returns an object which can be used to send messages highlighting single table rows.
SkyPointActivity	createSkyPointActivity() Returns an object which can be used to send messages drawing attention to particular sky positions.
SpectrumActivity	createSpectrumActivity() Returns an object which can be used to display spectra.
SubsetActivity	createSubsetActivity() Returns an object which can be used to send messages selecting table row subsets.
Transmitter	createSubsetTransmitter(TopcatModel tcModel, SubsetWindow subsetWindow) Returns an object that can send the RowSubset currently selected in a given subset window to other applications as a row selection on a commonly-known table.
Action	createWindowAction(Component parent) Constructs an action which will display a control window for this communicator.
Action[]	getInteropActions() Returns a list of actions suitable for insertion in a general purpose menu associated with interoperability functionality (register/unregister etc).
String	getProtocolName() Returns the name of the protocol over which this object is implemented.
Transmitter	getTableTransmitter() Returns an object that can send send the currently selected table from TOPCAT to other applications.
boolean	isConnected() Indicates (without attempting a connection) whether a hub connection is currently in force.
void	maybeStartHub() According to the policy of this communicator, this method may start a hub if none is already running.
boolean	setActive() Must be called before any of the actions provided by this object are used.
void	startHub(boolean external) Attempts to start a messaging hub suitable for use with this object.

Method Detail

getProtocolName

String getProtocolName()

Returns the name of the protocol over which this object is implemented.

Returns:

protocol name

setActive

boolean setActive()

Must be called before any of the actions provided by this object are used. May initiate communication with the messaging system etc.

Returns:

true iff there is a current connection

getInteropActions

Action[] getInteropActions()

Returns a list of actions suitable for insertion in a general purpose menu associated with interoperability functionality (register/unregister etc).

Returns:

action list

getTableTransmitter

Transmitter getTableTransmitter()

Returns an object that can send send the currently selected table from TOPCAT to other applications.

Returns:

table transmitter

createImageTransmitter

Transmitter createImageTransmitter(DensityWindow densityWindow)

Returns an object that can send the density map currently displayed in the density plot window to other applications as a FITS image.

Parameters:

densityWindow - density plot window

Returns:

new image transmitter

createSubsetTransmitter

Transmitter createSubsetTransmitter(TopcatModel tcModel,
                                    SubsetWindow subsetWindow)

Returns an object that can send the RowSubset currently selected in a given subset window to other applications as a row selection on a commonly-known table.

Parameters:

tcModel - table

subsetWindow - subset window

Returns:

new subset transmitter

createResourceListTransmitter

Transmitter createResourceListTransmitter(uk.ac.starlink.vo.RegistryPanel regPanel,
                                          String resourceType)

Returns an object that can send the currently displayed resources from a registry panel.

Parameters:

regPanel - registry panel component

resourceType - resource subtype - must match the appropriate voresource.loadlist.* MType subtype

Returns:

new resource list transmitter

createSkyPointActivity

SkyPointActivity createSkyPointActivity()

Returns an object which can be used to send messages drawing attention to particular sky positions.

Returns:

new activity object

createRowActivity

RowActivity createRowActivity()

Returns an object which can be used to send messages highlighting single table rows.

Returns:

new activity object

createSubsetActivity

SubsetActivity createSubsetActivity()

Returns an object which can be used to send messages selecting table row subsets.

Returns:

new activity object

createImageActivity

ImageActivity createImageActivity()

Returns an object which can be used to display images. Note this may include options apart from interop-type ones (display in local viewers).

Returns:

new activity object

createSpectrumActivity

SpectrumActivity createSpectrumActivity()

Returns an object which can be used to display spectra.

Returns:

new activity object

startHub

void startHub(boolean external)
       throws IOException

Attempts to start a messaging hub suitable for use with this object.

Parameters:

external - true to run hub in external JVM, false to run it in the current one

Throws:

IOException

maybeStartHub

void maybeStartHub()
            throws IOException

According to the policy of this communicator, this method may start a hub if none is already running.

Throws:

IOException

createInfoPanel

JComponent createInfoPanel()

Optionally returns a panel which can be displayed in the control window to show communications status.

Returns:

status component, or null if unimplemented

createWindowAction

Action createWindowAction(Component parent)

Constructs an action which will display a control window for this communicator.

Parameters:

parent - parent component

Returns:

communicator control window, or null if none is available

isConnected

boolean isConnected()

Indicates (without attempting a connection) whether a hub connection is currently in force.

Returns:

whether hub is connected

addConnectionListener

void addConnectionListener(ChangeListener listener)

Adds a listener which will be notified any time that connection status may have changed.

Parameters:

listener - listener to add