OSID - osid.topology.NodeLookupSession Service Interface Definition

Interface	osid.topology.NodeLookupSession
Implements	`osid.OsidSession`
Description	This session defines methods for retrieving nodes. This lookup session defines several views: comparative view: elements may be silently omitted or re-ordered plenary view: provides a complete result set or is an error condition isolated graph view: All node methods in this session operate, retrieve and pertain to nodes defined explicitly in the current graph. Using an isolated view is useful for managing `Nodes` with the `NodeAdminSession.` federated graph view: All node lookup methods in this session operate, retrieve and pertain to all nodes defined in this graph and any other nodes implicitly available in this graph through repository inheritence. The methods `useFederatedGraphView()` and `useIsolatedGraphView()` behave as a radio group and one should be selected before invoking any lookup methods. Nodes may have an additional records indicated by their respective record types. The record may not be accessed through a cast of the `Nodes.`
Method	getGraphId
Description	Gets the `Graph` `Id` associated with this session.
Return	`osid.id.Id`		the `Graph Id` associated with this session
Compliance	`mandatory`		This method must be implemented.
Method	getGraph
Description	Gets the `Graph` associated with this session.
Return	`osid.topology.Graph`		the graph
Errors	OPERATION_FAILED		unable to complete request
Errors	PERMISSION_DENIED		authorization failure
Compliance	`mandatory`		This method must be implemented.
Method	canLookupNodes
Description	Tests if this user can perform `Node` 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	useComparativeNodeView
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	usePlenaryNodeView
Description	A complete view of the `Node` 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	useFederatedGraphView
Description	Federates the view for methods in this session. A federated view will include nodes in graphs which are children of this graph in the graph hierarchy.
Compliance	`mandatory`		This method is must be implemented.
Method	useIsolatedGraphView
Description	Isolates the view for methods in this session. An isolated view restricts retrievals to this graph only.
Compliance	`mandatory`		This method is must be implemented.
Method	getNode
Description	Gets the `Node` specified by its `Id.` In plenary mode, the exact `Id` is found or a `NOT_FOUND` results. Otherwise, the returned `Node` may have a different `Id` than requested, such as the case where a duplicate `Id` was assigned to a `Node` and retained for compatibility.
Parameters	`osid.id.Id`	`nodeId`	the `Id` of the `Node` to retrieve
Return	`osid.topology.Node`		the returned `Node`
Errors	NOT_FOUND		no `Node` found with the given `Id`
	NULL_ARGUMENT		`nodeId` is `null`
	OPERATION_FAILED		unable to complete request
	PERMISSION_DENIED		authorization failure
Compliance	`mandatory`		This method must be implemented.
Method	getNodesByIds
Description	Gets a `NodeList` corresponding to the given `IdList.` In plenary mode, the returned list contains all of the nodes 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 `Nodes` may be omitted from the list and may present the elements in any order including returning a unique set.
Parameters	`osid.id.IdList`	`nodeIds`	the list of `Ids` to retrieve
Return	`osid.topology.NodeList`		the returned `Node` list
Errors	NOT_FOUND		an `Id` was not found
	NULL_ARGUMENT		`nodeIds` is `null`
	OPERATION_FAILED		unable to complete request
	PERMISSION_DENIED		authorization failure
Compliance	`mandatory`		This method must be implemented.
Method	getNodesByGenusType
Description	Gets a `NodeList` corresponding to the given node genus `Type` which does not include nodes of types derived from the specified `Type.` In plenary mode, the returned list contains all known nodes or an error results. Otherwise, the returned list may contain only those nodes that are accessible through this session.
Parameters	`osid.type.Type`	`nodeGenusType`	a node genus type
Return	`osid.topology.NodeList`		the returned `Node` list
Errors	NULL_ARGUMENT		`nodeGenusType` is `null`
	OPERATION_FAILED		unable to complete request
	PERMISSION_DENIED		authorization failure
Compliance	`mandatory`		This method must be implemented.
Method	getNodesByParentGenusType
Description	Gets a `NodeList` corresponding to the given node genus `Type` and include any additional nodes with genus types derived from the specified `Type.` In plenary mode, the returned list contains all known nodes or an error results. Otherwise, the returned list may contain only those nodes that are accessible through this session.
Parameters	`osid.type.Type`	`nodeGenusType`	a node genus type
Return	`osid.topology.NodeList`		the returned `Node` list
Errors	NULL_ARGUMENT		`nodeGenusType` is `null`
	OPERATION_FAILED		unable to complete request
	PERMISSION_DENIED		authorization failure
Compliance	`mandatory`		This method must be implemented.
Method	getNodesByRecordType
Description	Gets a `NodeList` containing the given node record `Type.` In plenary mode, the returned list contains all known nodes or an error results. Otherwise, the returned list may contain only those nodes that are accessible through this session.
Parameters	`osid.type.Type`	`nodeRecordType`	a node record type
Return	`osid.topology.NodeList`		the returned `Node` list
Errors	NULL_ARGUMENT		`nodeRecordType` is `null`
	OPERATION_FAILED		unable to complete request
	PERMISSION_DENIED		authorization failure
Compliance	`mandatory`		This method must be implemented.
Method	getNodes
Description	Gets all `Nodes.` In plenary mode, the returned list contains all known nodes or an error results. Otherwise, the returned list may contain only those nodes that are accessible through this session.
Return	`osid.topology.NodeList`		a list of `Nodes`
Errors	OPERATION_FAILED		unable to complete request
Errors	PERMISSION_DENIED		authorization failure
Compliance	`mandatory`		This method must be implemented.