/*=========================================================================

  Program:   ParaView
  Module:    vtkPVInformation.h
  Language:  C++
  Date:      $Date$
  Version:   $Revision$

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Clifton Park, NY, 12065, USA.
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 * Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice,
   this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.

 * Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice,
   this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation
   and/or other materials provided with the distribution.

 * Neither the name of Kitware nor the names of any contributors may be used
   to endorse or promote products derived from this software without specific 
   prior written permission.

 * Modified source versions must be plainly marked as such, and must not be
   misrepresented as being the original software.

THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS ``AS IS''
AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR
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=========================================================================*/
// .NAME vtkPVInformation - Superclass for information objects.
// .SECTION Description
// Subclasses of this class are used to get information from the server.


#ifndef __vtkPVInformation_h
#define __vtkPVInformation_h


#include "vtkObject.h"


class VTK_EXPORT vtkPVInformation : public vtkObject
{
public:
  static vtkPVInformation* New();
  vtkTypeRevisionMacro(vtkPVInformation, vtkObject);
  void PrintSelf(ostream& os, vtkIndent indent);

  // Description:
  // Transfer information about a single object into
  // this object.
  virtual void CopyFromObject(vtkObject* data);
  virtual void CopyFromMessage(unsigned char* msg);

  // Description:
  // Merge another information object.
  virtual void AddInformation(vtkPVInformation* info);
  
  // Description:
  // Serialize message.
  virtual int GetMessageLength(); 
  virtual void WriteMessage(unsigned char* msg);

protected:
  vtkPVInformation() {};
  ~vtkPVInformation() {};

  vtkPVInformation(const vtkPVInformation&); // Not implemented
  void operator=(const vtkPVInformation&); // Not implemented
};

#endif
