/**
 * The Vector interface specifies a sequence of elements that 
 * supports access to its elements by their ranks.  The vector can
 * be changed.
 * A rank is invalid if it is smaller than 0 or greater than or equal 
 * to the size of the ranked sequence.
 *
 * @version     1.6    March 2, 2001
 * @author      Franck van Breugel
 */
public interface Vector extends InspectableVector
{
    /**
     * Returns the element of this vector with the specified rank 
     * and replaces that element with the specified element.
     * Throws a BoundaryViolationException if the specified rank is invalid.
     * @param rank The rank of the element to be replaced.
     * @param element The replacement element.
     * @return The element of this vector with the specified rank.
     * @exception BoundaryViolationException if the specified rank is invalid.
     */ 
    public Object replaceAtRank(int rank, Object element) throws BoundaryViolationException;

    /**
     * Inserts the specified element at the specified rank in this
     * vector.
     * Throws a BoundaryViolationException if the specified rank is invalid
     * and differs from the size of the vector.
     * @param rank The rank at which the element is to be inserted.
     * @param element The element to be inserted.
     * @exception BoundaryViolationException if the specified rank is invalid
     * and differs from the size of this vector.
     */ 
    public void insertAtRank(int rank, Object element) throws BoundaryViolationException;

    /**
     * Returns the element of this vector with the specified rank
     * and removes this element from this ranked sequence.
     * Throws a BoundaryViolationException if the specified rank is invalid.
     * @param rank The rank at which the element is to be removed.
     * @return The element of this vector with the specified rank.
     * @exception BoundaryViolationException if the specified rank is invalid.
     */ 
    public Object removeAtRank(int rank) throws BoundaryViolationException;
}