# Class Range<T>

java.lang.Object
org.apache.commons.lang3.Range<T>

Type Parameters:
  `T` - The type of range values.

All Implemented Interfaces:
  `Serializable`

Direct Known Subclasses:
  `NumberRange`

public class Range<T> extends Object implements Serializable
An immutable range of objects from a minimum to maximum point inclusive.

The objects need to either be implementations of `Comparable` or you need to supply a `Comparator`.

#ThreadSafe# if the objects and comparator are thread-safe.

Since:
  3.0
See Also:
  - Serialized Form

- ## Method Summary

  Modifier and Type
  Method
  Description
  `static <T extends Comparable<? super T>>
  Range<T>`
  `between(T fromInclusive, T toInclusive)`
  Deprecated.
  Use `of(Comparable, Comparable)`.
  `static <T> Range<T>`
  `between(T fromInclusive, T toInclusive, Comparator<T> comparator)`
  Deprecated.
  Use `of(Object, Object, Comparator)`.
  `boolean`
  `contains(T element)`
  Checks whether the specified element occurs within this range.
  `boolean`
  `containsRange(Range<T> otherRange)`
  Checks whether this range contains all the elements of the specified range.
  `int`
  `elementCompareTo(T element)`
  Checks where the specified element occurs relative to this range.
  `boolean`
  `equals(Object obj)`
  Compares this range to another object to test if they are equal.
  `T`
  `fit(T element)`
  Fits the given element into this range by returning the given element or, if out of bounds, the range minimum if below, or the range maximum if above.
  `Comparator<T>`
  `getComparator()`
  Gets the comparator being used to determine if objects are within the range.
  `T`
  `getMaximum()`
  Gets the maximum value in this range.
  `T`
  `getMinimum()`
  Gets the minimum value in this range.
  `int`
  `hashCode()`
  Gets a suitable hash code for the range.
  `Range<T>`
  `intersectionWith(Range<T> other)`
  Calculate the intersection of `this` and an overlapping Range.
  `static <T extends Comparable<? super T>>
  Range<T>`
  `is(T element)`
  Creates a range using the specified element as both the minimum and maximum in this range.
  `static <T> Range<T>`
  `is(T element, Comparator<T> comparator)`
  Creates a range using the specified element as both the minimum and maximum in this range.
  `boolean`
  `isAfter(T element)`
  Checks whether this range is after the specified element.
  `boolean`
  `isAfterRange(Range<T> otherRange)`
  Checks whether this range is completely after the specified range.
  `boolean`
  `isBefore(T element)`
  Checks whether this range is before the specified element.
  `boolean`
  `isBeforeRange(Range<T> otherRange)`
  Checks whether this range is completely before the specified range.
  `boolean`
  `isEndedBy(T element)`
  Checks whether this range ends with the specified element.
  `boolean`
  `isNaturalOrdering()`
  Tests whether or not the Range is using the natural ordering of the elements.
  `boolean`
  `isOverlappedBy(Range<T> otherRange)`
  Tests whether this range is overlapped by the specified range.
  `boolean`
  `isStartedBy(T element)`
  Tests whether this range starts with the specified element.
  `static <T extends Comparable<? super T>>
  Range<T>`
  `of(T fromInclusive, T toInclusive)`
  Creates a range with the specified minimum and maximum values (both inclusive).
  `static <T> Range<T>`
  `of(T fromInclusive, T toInclusive, Comparator<T> comparator)`
  Creates a range with the specified minimum and maximum values (both inclusive).
  `String`
  `toString()`
  Gets the range as a `String`.
  `String`
  `toString(String format)`
  Formats the receiver using the given format.

  ### Methods inherited from class Object

  `clone, finalize, getClass, notify, notifyAll, wait, wait, wait`

- ## Method Details

  - ### between

    @Deprecated public static <T extends Comparable<? super T>> Range<T> between(T fromInclusive, T toInclusive)
    Deprecated.
    Use `of(Comparable, Comparable)`.
    Creates a range with the specified minimum and maximum values (both inclusive).

    The range uses the natural ordering of the elements to determine where values lie in the range.

    The arguments may be passed in the order (min,max) or (max,min). The getMinimum and getMaximum methods will return the correct values.

    Type Parameters:
      `T` - the type of the elements in this range.
    Parameters:
      `fromInclusive` - the first value that defines the edge of the range, inclusive.
      `toInclusive` - the second value that defines the edge of the range, inclusive.
    Returns:
      the range object, not null.
    Throws:
      `NullPointerException` - when fromInclusive is null.
      `NullPointerException` - when toInclusive is null.
      `ClassCastException` - if the elements are not `Comparable`.

  - ### between

    @Deprecated public static <T> Range<T> between(T fromInclusive, T toInclusive, Comparator<T> comparator)
    Deprecated.
    Use `of(Object, Object, Comparator)`.
    Creates a range with the specified minimum and maximum values (both inclusive).

    The range uses the specified `Comparator` to determine where values lie in the range.

    The arguments may be passed in the order (min,max) or (max,min). The getMinimum and getMaximum methods will return the correct values.

    Type Parameters:
      `T` - the type of the elements in this range.
    Parameters:
      `fromInclusive` - the first value that defines the edge of the range, inclusive.
      `toInclusive` - the second value that defines the edge of the range, inclusive.
      `comparator` - the comparator to be used, null for natural ordering.
    Returns:
      the range object, not null.
    Throws:
      `NullPointerException` - when fromInclusive is null.
      `NullPointerException` - when toInclusive is null.
      `ClassCastException` - if using natural ordering and the elements are not `Comparable`.

  - ### is

    public static <T extends Comparable<? super T>> Range<T> is(T element)
    Creates a range using the specified element as both the minimum and maximum in this range.

    The range uses the natural ordering of the elements to determine where values lie in the range.

    Type Parameters:
      `T` - the type of the elements in this range.
    Parameters:
      `element` - the value to use for this range, not null.
    Returns:
      the range object, not null.
    Throws:
      `NullPointerException` - if the element is null.
      `ClassCastException` - if the element is not `Comparable`.

  - ### is

    public static <T> Range<T> is(T element, Comparator<T> comparator)
    Creates a range using the specified element as both the minimum and maximum in this range.

    The range uses the specified `Comparator` to determine where values lie in the range.

    Type Parameters:
      `T` - the type of the elements in this range.
    Parameters:
      `element` - the value to use for this range, must not be `null`.
      `comparator` - the comparator to be used, null for natural ordering.
    Returns:
      the range object, not null.
    Throws:
      `NullPointerException` - if the element is null.
      `ClassCastException` - if using natural ordering and the elements are not `Comparable`.

  - ### of

    public static <T extends Comparable<? super T>> Range<T> of(T fromInclusive, T toInclusive)
    Creates a range with the specified minimum and maximum values (both inclusive).

    The range uses the natural ordering of the elements to determine where values lie in the range.

    The arguments may be passed in the order (min,max) or (max,min). The getMinimum and getMaximum methods will return the correct values.

    Type Parameters:
      `T` - the type of the elements in this range.
    Parameters:
      `fromInclusive` - the first value that defines the edge of the range, inclusive.
      `toInclusive` - the second value that defines the edge of the range, inclusive.
    Returns:
      the range object, not null.
    Throws:
      `NullPointerException` - if either element is null.
      `ClassCastException` - if the elements are not `Comparable`.
    Since:
      3.13.0

  - ### of

    public static <T> Range<T> of(T fromInclusive, T toInclusive, Comparator<T> comparator)
    Creates a range with the specified minimum and maximum values (both inclusive).

    The range uses the specified `Comparator` to determine where values lie in the range.

    The arguments may be passed in the order (min,max) or (max,min). The getMinimum and getMaximum methods will return the correct values.

    Type Parameters:
      `T` - the type of the elements in this range.
    Parameters:
      `fromInclusive` - the first value that defines the edge of the range, inclusive.
      `toInclusive` - the second value that defines the edge of the range, inclusive.
      `comparator` - the comparator to be used, null for natural ordering.
    Returns:
      the range object, not null.
    Throws:
      `NullPointerException` - when fromInclusive is null.
      `NullPointerException` - when toInclusive is null.
      `ClassCastException` - if using natural ordering and the elements are not `Comparable`.
    Since:
      3.13.0

  - ### contains

    public boolean contains(T element)
    Checks whether the specified element occurs within this range.
    Parameters:
      `element` - the element to check for, null returns false.
    Returns:
      true if the specified element occurs within this range.

  - ### containsRange

    public boolean containsRange(Range<T> otherRange)
    Checks whether this range contains all the elements of the specified range.

    This method may fail if the ranges have two different comparators or element types.

    Parameters:
      `otherRange` - the range to check, null returns false.
    Returns:
      true if this range contains the specified range.
    Throws:
      `RuntimeException` - if ranges cannot be compared.

  - ### elementCompareTo

    public int elementCompareTo(T element)
    Checks where the specified element occurs relative to this range.

    The API is reminiscent of the Comparable interface returning `-1` if the element is before the range, `0` if contained within the range and `1` if the element is after the range.

    Parameters:
      `element` - the element to check for, not null.
    Returns:
      -1, 0 or +1 depending on the element's location relative to the range.
    Throws:
      `NullPointerException` - if `element` is `null`.

  - ### equals

    public boolean equals(Object obj)
    Compares this range to another object to test if they are equal.

    To be equal, the minimum and maximum values must be equal, which ignores any differences in the comparator.

    Overrides:
      `equals` in class `Object`
    Parameters:
      `obj` - the reference object with which to compare.
    Returns:
      true if this object is equal.

  - ### fit

    public T fit(T element)
    Fits the given element into this range by returning the given element or, if out of bounds, the range minimum if below, or the range maximum if above.

        Range<Integer> range = Range.between(16, 64);
        range.fit(-9) -->  16
        range.fit(0)  -->  16
        range.fit(15) -->  16
        range.fit(16) -->  16
        range.fit(17) -->  17
        ...
        range.fit(63) -->  63
        range.fit(64) -->  64
        range.fit(99) -->  64

    Parameters:
      `element` - the element to check for, not null.
    Returns:
      the minimum, the element, or the maximum depending on the element's location relative to the range.
    Throws:
      `NullPointerException` - if `element` is `null`.
    Since:
      3.10

  - ### getComparator

    public Comparator<T> getComparator()
    Gets the comparator being used to determine if objects are within the range.

    Natural ordering uses an internal comparator implementation, thus this method never returns null. See `isNaturalOrdering()`.

    Returns:
      the comparator being used, not null.

  - ### getMaximum

    public T getMaximum()
    Gets the maximum value in this range.
    Returns:
      the maximum value in this range, not null.

  - ### getMinimum

    public T getMinimum()
    Gets the minimum value in this range.
    Returns:
      the minimum value in this range, not null.

  - ### hashCode

    public int hashCode()
    Gets a suitable hash code for the range.
    Overrides:
      `hashCode` in class `Object`
    Returns:
      a hash code value for this object.

  - ### intersectionWith

    public Range<T> intersectionWith(Range<T> other)
    Calculate the intersection of `this` and an overlapping Range.
    Parameters:
      `other` - overlapping Range.
    Returns:
      range representing the intersection of `this` and `other` (`this` if equal).
    Throws:
      `IllegalArgumentException` - if `other` does not overlap `this`.
    Since:
      3.0.1

  - ### isAfter

    public boolean isAfter(T element)
    Checks whether this range is after the specified element.
    Parameters:
      `element` - the element to check for, null returns false.
    Returns:
      true if this range is entirely after the specified element.

  - ### isAfterRange

    public boolean isAfterRange(Range<T> otherRange)
    Checks whether this range is completely after the specified range.

    This method may fail if the ranges have two different comparators or element types.

    Parameters:
      `otherRange` - the range to check, null returns false.
    Returns:
      true if this range is completely after the specified range.
    Throws:
      `RuntimeException` - if ranges cannot be compared.

  - ### isBefore

    public boolean isBefore(T element)
    Checks whether this range is before the specified element.
    Parameters:
      `element` - the element to check for, null returns false.
    Returns:
      true if this range is entirely before the specified element.

  - ### isBeforeRange

    public boolean isBeforeRange(Range<T> otherRange)
    Checks whether this range is completely before the specified range.

    This method may fail if the ranges have two different comparators or element types.

    Parameters:
      `otherRange` - the range to check, null returns false.
    Returns:
      true if this range is completely before the specified range.
    Throws:
      `RuntimeException` - if ranges cannot be compared.

  - ### isEndedBy

    public boolean isEndedBy(T element)
    Checks whether this range ends with the specified element.
    Parameters:
      `element` - the element to check for, null returns false.
    Returns:
      true if the specified element occurs within this range.

  - ### isNaturalOrdering

    public boolean isNaturalOrdering()
    Tests whether or not the Range is using the natural ordering of the elements.

    Natural ordering uses an internal comparator implementation, thus this method is the only way to check if a null comparator was specified.

    Returns:
      true if using natural ordering.

  - ### isOverlappedBy

    public boolean isOverlappedBy(Range<T> otherRange)
    Tests whether this range is overlapped by the specified range.

    Two ranges overlap if there is at least one element in common.

    This method may fail if the ranges have two different comparators or element types.

    Parameters:
      `otherRange` - the range to test, null returns false.
    Returns:
      true if the specified range overlaps with this range; otherwise, `false`.
    Throws:
      `RuntimeException` - if ranges cannot be compared.

  - ### isStartedBy

    public boolean isStartedBy(T element)
    Tests whether this range starts with the specified element.
    Parameters:
      `element` - the element to check for, null returns false.
    Returns:
      true if the specified element occurs within this range.

  - ### toString

    public String toString()
    Gets the range as a `String`.

    The format of the String is '[min..max]'.

    Overrides:
      `toString` in class `Object`
    Returns:
      the `String` representation of this range.

  - ### toString

    public String toString(String format)
    Formats the receiver using the given format.

    This uses `Formattable` to perform the formatting. Three variables may be used to embed the minimum, maximum and comparator. Use `%1$s` for the minimum element, `%2$s` for the maximum element and `%3$s` for the comparator. The default format used by `toString()` is `[%1$s..%2$s]`.

    Parameters:
      `format` - the format string, optionally containing `%1$s`, `%2$s` and `%3$s`, not null.
    Returns:
      the formatted string, not null.