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-- dispenser.sa: Dispenser abstraction
-- Author: Benedict A. Gomes <gomes@samosa.ICSI.Berkeley.EDU>

abstract class $DISPENSER{ETP} < $CONTAINER{ETP} is
   -- A dispenser is an abstraction that only permits the removal
   -- of one element at a time.
   -- This abstraction just permits the non-modifying operations
   -- and is mainly to organize the collection of classes (to ensure
   -- that they all have certain basic features like size).
   -- We do not currently believe that an abstract dispenser will show
   -- up in actual code...
   
   size: INT;
   -- Number of items in the dispenser
   
   current: ETP;
   -- Return the current item
   
   remove: ETP;		
   -- Return the current item and advance 
   
   elt!: ETP;
   -- Return the elements of the dispenser in some *undefined* order.
   -- Particular abstractions might define a stronger ordering relation
   
end;
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