/*
 * Copyright (c) 2001, DecisionSoft Limited All rights reserved.
 * Please see LICENSE.TXT for more information.
 */

#ifndef _ITEM_HPP
#define _ITEM_HPP

#include <pathan/Pathan.hpp>
#include <xercesc/util/XercesDefs.hpp>


// forward declare when we can
class XPath2MemoryManager;
class DynamicContext;
class DynamicContext;

class PATHAN_EXPORT Item
{
public:

  //Default constructor
  Item (XPath2MemoryManager* memMgr);

  XPath2MemoryManager* getMemoryManager() const;

  virtual bool isNode() const = 0;

  virtual bool isAtomicValue() const = 0;

  /** Releases the memory used by this Item */
  virtual void release() const = 0;
  
  virtual const XMLCh* asString(const DynamicContext* context) const = 0;

protected:
  // copy constructor
  Item (const Item & other);            
  // assignment operation
  Item & operator=(const Item & item) ;
private:
  XPath2MemoryManager* _memMgr;
  
};

#endif // _ITEM_HPP