| Compares this object with the specified object for order. Returns a
negative integer, zero, or a positive integer as this object is less
than, equal to, or greater than the specified object.
In the foregoing description, the notation
sgn(expression) designates the mathematical
signum function, which is defined to return one of -1,
0, or 1 according to whether the value of expression
is negative, zero or positive.
The implementor must ensure sgn(x.compareTo(y)) ==
-sgn(y.compareTo(x)) for all x and y. (This
implies that x.compareTo(y) must throw an exception iff
y.compareTo(x) throws an exception.)
The implementor must also ensure that the relation is transitive:
(x.compareTo(y)>0 && y.compareTo(z)>0) implies
x.compareTo(z)>0.
Finally, the implementer must ensure that x.compareTo(y)==0
implies that sgn(x.compareTo(z)) == sgn(y.compareTo(z)), for
all z.
It is strongly recommended, but not strictly required that
(x.compareTo(y)==0) == (x.equals(y)). Generally speaking, any
class that implements the Comparable interface and violates
this condition should clearly indicate this fact. The recommended
language is "Note: this class has a natural ordering that is
inconsistent with equals."
Parameters:
o - the Object to be compared. a negative integer, zero, or a positive integer as this objectis less than, equal to, or greater than the specified object.
throws:
ClassCastException - if the specified object's type prevents itfrom being compared to this Object. |
