/**
 * @file   command.hpp
 * @author Julian Iseringhausen <isering@ins.uni-bonn.de>
 * @date   Tue Apr  5 19:21:37 2011
 * 
 * @brief  Base class for commands that can be added to several
 *         command lists. Commands in the lists COMMANDLIST_INIT,
 *         COMMAND_LIST_LOOP and COMMANDLIST_FINALIZE will be
 *         executed automatically. However the user may create
 *         other command lists and execute them manually.
 * 
 * 
 */

#ifndef COMMAND_HPP_
#define COMMAND_HPP_

#include <string>
#include <vector>

#include "base/defs.hpp"
#include "mg.hpp"

#define CREATE_INITIALIZER(a) void Initialize##a() {		\
    VMG::MG::GetFactory().RegisterCommand(new VMG::CommandProxy<a>);	\
  }

namespace VMG
{

class Command
{
public:
  typedef std::vector<std::string> argument_vector; ///< Holds arguments for execution

  virtual ~Command() {}

  /** 
   * This function will be executed when command flow in a certain command
   * list reaches this command.
   * 
   * @param arguments Holds arguments for execution as strings. When using multiple arguments,
   *                  ':' serves as the separator.
   * 
   * @return Certain commands may want to change the following command flow of the command list 
   *         (e.g. stopping criteria). This can be achieved by returning either "StopNow", which
   *         stops execution right after this command or by returning "StopLater", which will stop
   *         execution of a loop after the remaining commands have also been executed.
   */
  virtual Request Run(Command::argument_vector arguments) = 0;
};

}

#endif /* COMMAND_HPP_ */