/**
 * Objects that can compare pairs of objects (for equality and
 * ordering).  Typically used to help with sorting.
 *
 * @author Chris Kern
 * @author Erin Nichols
 * @author Joe Simonson
 * @author Samuel A. Rebelsky
 * @version 1.2 of November 1999
 */
public interface Comparator {
    /** 
     * Determine if the first element is strictly smaller than the 
     * second.  
     */
    public boolean lessThan(Object first, Object second);
    
    /** 
     * Determine if the first element is equal to the second.  
     */
    public boolean equals(Object first, Object second);


} // interface Comparator