package com.planet_ink.coffee_mud.Items.interfaces;
import java.util.List;
import com.planet_ink.coffee_mud.MOBS.interfaces.MOB;
/**
* A computer is a particular type of electronics panel that holds
* software, and has readers who monitor the messages this panel
* generates, as well as use the Type command to enter data into
* this panel's software.
* @see Software
* @see ElecPanel
* @author Bo Zimmerman
*
*/
public interface Computer extends ElecPanel
{
/**
* Returns the list of Software objects installed in this computer.
* @see Software
* @return the list of Software objects installed in this computer
*/
public List<Software> getSoftware();
/**
* Returns the list of mobs currently monitoring the output of this
* computers software.
* @return the list of mobs currently monitoring the output
*/
public List<MOB> getCurrentReaders();
/**
* Forces all the current readers to "read" the computer, typically
* seeing the menu.
* @see Computer#getCurrentReaders()
* @see Computer#forceReadersSeeNew()
*/
public void forceReadersMenu();
/**
* Forces all the current readers to see any new messages that
* should be seen by anyone monitoring the computer.
* @see Computer#getCurrentReaders()
* @see Computer#forceReadersMenu()
*/
public void forceReadersSeeNew();
/**
* Most software supports different levels of menu, and some software
* is even a sub-menu unto itself. This method forces the system to
* recognize one of those menus as current. The software takes it
* from there.
* @see Computer#getActiveMenu()
* @param internalName the menu to set as current and active
*/
public void setActiveMenu(String internalName);
/**
* Most software supports different levels of menu, and some software
* is even a sub-menu unto itself. This method returns the current
* active menu.
* @see Computer#setActiveMenu(String)
* @return internalName the menu to set as current and active
*/
public String getActiveMenu();
}
