OSID - osid.forum.ForumLookupSession Service Interface Definition

Interface	osid.forum.ForumLookupSession
Implements	`osid.OsidSession`
Description	This session provides methods for retrieving `Forum` objects. The `Forum` represents a collection of posts and replies. This session defines views that offer differing behaviors when retrieving multiple objects. comparative view: elements may be silently omitted or re-ordered plenary view: provides a complete set or is an error condition
Method	canLookupForums
Description	Tests if this user can perform `Forum` lookups. A return of true does not guarantee successful authorization. A return of false indicates that it is known all methods in this session will result in a `PERMISSION_DENIED.` This is intended as a hint to an application that may not offer lookup operations to unauthorized users.
Return	`boolean`		`false` if lookup methods are not authorized, `true` otherwise
Compliance	`mandatory`		This method must be implemented.
Method	useComparativeForumView
Description	The returns from the lookup methods may omit or translate elements based on this session, such as authorization, and not result in an error. This view is used when greater interoperability is desired at the expense of precision.
Compliance	`mandatory`		This method is must be implemented.
Method	usePlenaryForumView
Description	A complete view of the `Forum` returns is desired. Methods will return what is requested or result in an error. This view is used when greater precision is desired at the expense of interoperability.
Compliance	`mandatory`		This method is must be implemented.
Method	getForum
Description	Gets the `Forum` specified by its `Id.` In plenary mode, the exact `Id` is found or a `NOT_FOUND` results. Otherwise, the returned `Forum` may have a different `Id` than requested, such as the case where a duplicate `Id` was assigned to a `Forum` and retained for compatibility.
Parameters	`osid.id.Id`	`forumId`	`Id` of the `Forum`
Return	`osid.forum.Forum`		the forum
Errors	NOT_FOUND		`forumId` not found
	NULL_ARGUMENT		`forumId` is `null`
	OPERATION_FAILED		unable to complete request
	PERMISSION_DENIED		authorization failure
Compliance	`mandatory`		This method is must be implemented.
Method	getForumsByIds
Description	Gets a `ForumList` corresponding to the given `IdList.` In plenary mode, the returned list contains all of the forums specified in the `Id` list, in the order of the list, including duplicates, or an error results if an `Id` in the supplied list is not found or inaccessible. Otherwise, inaccessible `Forums` may be omitted from the list and may present the elements in any order including returning a unique set.
Parameters	`osid.id.IdList`	`forumIds`	the list of `Ids` to retrieve
Return	`osid.forum.ForumList`		the returned `Forum` list
Errors	NOT_FOUND		an `Id was` not found
	NULL_ARGUMENT		`forumIds` is `null`
	OPERATION_FAILED		unable to complete request
	PERMISSION_DENIED		authorization failure
Compliance	`mandatory`		This method must be implemented.
Method	getForumsByGenusType
Description	Gets a `ForumList` corresponding to the given forum genus `Type` which does not include forums of genus types derived from the specified `Type.` In plenary mode, the returned list contains all known forums or an error results. Otherwise, the returned list may contain only those forums that are accessible through this session.
Parameters	`osid.type.Type`	`forumGenusType`	a forum genus type
Return	`osid.forum.ForumList`		the returned `Forum` list
Errors	NULL_ARGUMENT		`forumGenusType` is `null`
	OPERATION_FAILED		unable to complete request
	PERMISSION_DENIED		authorization failure
Compliance	`mandatory`		This method must be implemented.
Method	getForumsByParentGenusType
Description	Gets a `ForumList` corresponding to the given forum genus `Type` and include any additional forums with genus types derived from the specified `Type.` In plenary mode, the returned list contains all known forums or an error results. Otherwise, the returned list may contain only those forums that are accessible through this session.
Parameters	`osid.type.Type`	`forumGenusType`	a forum genus type
Return	`osid.forum.ForumList`		the returned `Forum` list
Errors	NULL_ARGUMENT		`forumGenusType` is `null`
	OPERATION_FAILED		unable to complete request
	PERMISSION_DENIED		authorization failure
Compliance	`mandatory`		This method must be implemented.
Method	getForumsByRecordType
Description	Gets a `ForumList` containing the given forum record `Type.` In plenary mode, the returned list contains all known forums or an error results. Otherwise, the returned list may contain only those forums that are accessible through this session.
Parameters	`osid.type.Type`	`forumRecordType`	a forum record type
Return	`osid.forum.ForumList`		the returned `Forum` list
Errors	NULL_ARGUMENT		`forumRecordType` is `null`
	OPERATION_FAILED		unable to complete request
	PERMISSION_DENIED		authorization failure
Compliance	`mandatory`		This method must be implemented.
Method	getForumsByProvider
Description	Gets a `ForumList` for the given provider `.` In plenary mode, the returned list contains all known forums or an error results. Otherwise, the returned list may contain only those forums that are accessible through this session.
Parameters	`osid.id.Id`	`resourceId`	a resource `Id`
Return	`osid.forum.ForumList`		the returned `Forum` list
Errors	NULL_ARGUMENT		`resourceId` is `null`
	OPERATION_FAILED		unable to complete request
	PERMISSION_DENIED		authorization failure
Compliance	`mandatory`		This method must be implemented.
Method	getForums
Description	Gets all `Forums.` In plenary mode, the returned list contains all known forums or an error results. Otherwise, the returned list may contain only those forums that are accessible through this session.
Return	`osid.forum.ForumList`		a list of `Forums`
Errors	OPERATION_FAILED		unable to complete request
Errors	PERMISSION_DENIED		authorization failure
Compliance	`mandatory`		This method must be implemented.