/* ===========================================================
 * JFreeChart : a free chart library for the Java(tm) platform
 * ===========================================================
 *
 * (C) Copyright 2000-2005, by Object Refinery Limited and Contributors.
 *
 * Project Info:  http://www.jfree.org/jfreechart/index.html
 *
 * This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it 
 * under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by 
 * the Free Software Foundation; either version 2.1 of the License, or 
 * (at your option) any later version.
 *
 * This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but 
 * WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY 
 * or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU Lesser General Public 
 * License for more details.
 *
 * You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public
 * License along with this library; if not, write to the Free Software
 * Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  02110-1301, 
 * USA.  
 *
 * [Java is a trademark or registered trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc. 
 * in the United States and other countries.]
 *
 * -------------------
 * TickUnitSource.java
 * -------------------
 * (C) Copyright 2003, 2004, by Object Refinery Limited.
 *
 * Original Author:  David Gilbert (for Object Refinery Limited);
 * Contributor(s):   -;
 *
 * $Id: TickUnitSource.java,v 1.2.2.1 2005/10/25 20:37:34 mungady Exp $
 *
 * Changes
 * -------
 * 23-Sep-2003 : Version 1 (DG);
 *
 */

package org.jfree.chart.axis;

/**
 * An interface used by the {@link DateAxis} and {@link NumberAxis} classes to 
 * obtain a suitable {@link TickUnit}.
 */
public interface TickUnitSource {

    /**
     * Returns a tick unit that is larger than the supplied unit.
     *
     * @param unit   the unit.
     *
     * @return A tick unit that is larger than the supplied unit.
     */
    public TickUnit getLargerTickUnit(TickUnit unit);

    /**
     * Returns the tick unit in the collection that is greater than or equal
     * to (in size) the specified unit.
     *
     * @param unit  the unit.
     *
     * @return A unit from the collection.
     */
    public TickUnit getCeilingTickUnit(TickUnit unit);

    /**
     * Returns the tick unit in the collection that is greater than or equal
     * to the specified size.
     *
     * @param size  the size.
     *
     * @return A unit from the collection.
     */
    public TickUnit getCeilingTickUnit(double size);
    
}