Generic Type Operations

The methods provided by all data structure classes encompass functions for identifaction, type examination, and conversion as well as assignment and comparison operators.

Identification functions

Method	Description
`String getName ()`	Returns the name of a data structure
`String getFullName ()`	Returns the full name of a data structure
`String getUniqueName ()`	Returns the unique name of a data structure

Type examination functions

Method	Description
`bool isA (const Type& pType) const`	Tests if the type has the same name as `pType`.
*`bool isParentOf (const Type pChild) const`**	Tests if `pChild` is a data structure derived from `this` data structure
*`bool isChildOf (const Type pParent) const`**	Tests if `pParent` is a parent of `this` data structure

Conversion functions

Method	Description
`String toString () const`	Returns the string representation of a data structure
*`void createFromString (const char pString) throw(Exception)`**	This method sets all the data structure's values conforming to the string representation. When you call this function you should be careful to place it in a try catch block. The exception is thrown when the syntax of `pString` is invalid.

Operators

Method	Description
`const Type& operator = (const Type&)`	Sets all values to the values provided by the parameter. If the parameter is not of the same type, a `DataTypeException` is thrown
`bool operator == (const Type&)`	Tests if two data structures are equal.
`bool operator != (const Type&)`	First the type is tested, and, if they are the same type, values are tested.