Preferences.java revision 96b40e87c32023084d7153360b1fa0c44c598095
1/*
2 * Copyright (c) 2000, 2012, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
3 * DO NOT ALTER OR REMOVE COPYRIGHT NOTICES OR THIS FILE HEADER.
4 *
5 * This code is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
6 * under the terms of the GNU General Public License version 2 only, as
7 * published by the Free Software Foundation.  Oracle designates this
8 * particular file as subject to the "Classpath" exception as provided
9 * by Oracle in the LICENSE file that accompanied this code.
10 *
11 * This code is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT
12 * ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or
13 * FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU General Public License
14 * version 2 for more details (a copy is included in the LICENSE file that
15 * accompanied this code).
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24 */
25
26package java.util.prefs;
27
28import java.io.InputStream;
29import java.io.IOException;
30import java.io.OutputStream;
31import java.security.AccessController;
32import java.security.Permission;
33import java.security.PrivilegedAction;
34import java.util.Iterator;
35import java.util.ServiceLoader;
36import java.util.ServiceConfigurationError;
37
38// These imports needed only as a workaround for a JavaDoc bug
39import java.lang.RuntimePermission;
40import java.lang.Integer;
41import java.lang.Long;
42import java.lang.Float;
43import java.lang.Double;
44
45/**
46 * A node in a hierarchical collection of preference data.  This class
47 * allows applications to store and retrieve user and system
48 * preference and configuration data.  This data is stored
49 * persistently in an implementation-dependent backing store.  Typical
50 * implementations include flat files, OS-specific registries,
51 * directory servers and SQL databases.  The user of this class needn't
52 * be concerned with details of the backing store.
53 *
54 * <p>There are two separate trees of preference nodes, one for user
55 * preferences and one for system preferences.  Each user has a separate user
56 * preference tree, and all users in a given system share the same system
57 * preference tree.  The precise description of "user" and "system" will vary
58 * from implementation to implementation.  Typical information stored in the
59 * user preference tree might include font choice, color choice, or preferred
60 * window location and size for a particular application.  Typical information
61 * stored in the system preference tree might include installation
62 * configuration data for an application.
63 *
64 * <p>Nodes in a preference tree are named in a similar fashion to
65 * directories in a hierarchical file system.   Every node in a preference
66 * tree has a <i>node name</i> (which is not necessarily unique),
67 * a unique <i>absolute path name</i>, and a path name <i>relative</i> to each
68 * ancestor including itself.
69 *
70 * <p>The root node has a node name of the empty string ("").  Every other
71 * node has an arbitrary node name, specified at the time it is created.  The
72 * only restrictions on this name are that it cannot be the empty string, and
73 * it cannot contain the slash character ('/').
74 *
75 * <p>The root node has an absolute path name of <tt>"/"</tt>.  Children of
76 * the root node have absolute path names of <tt>"/" + </tt><i>&lt;node
77 * name&gt;</i>.  All other nodes have absolute path names of <i>&lt;parent's
78 * absolute path name&gt;</i><tt> + "/" + </tt><i>&lt;node name&gt;</i>.
79 * Note that all absolute path names begin with the slash character.
80 *
81 * <p>A node <i>n</i>'s path name relative to its ancestor <i>a</i>
82 * is simply the string that must be appended to <i>a</i>'s absolute path name
83 * in order to form <i>n</i>'s absolute path name, with the initial slash
84 * character (if present) removed.  Note that:
85 * <ul>
86 * <li>No relative path names begin with the slash character.
87 * <li>Every node's path name relative to itself is the empty string.
88 * <li>Every node's path name relative to its parent is its node name (except
89 * for the root node, which does not have a parent).
90 * <li>Every node's path name relative to the root is its absolute path name
91 * with the initial slash character removed.
92 * </ul>
93 *
94 * <p>Note finally that:
95 * <ul>
96 * <li>No path name contains multiple consecutive slash characters.
97 * <li>No path name with the exception of the root's absolute path name
98 * ends in the slash character.
99 * <li>Any string that conforms to these two rules is a valid path name.
100 * </ul>
101 *
102 * <p>All of the methods that modify preferences data are permitted to operate
103 * asynchronously; they may return immediately, and changes will eventually
104 * propagate to the persistent backing store with an implementation-dependent
105 * delay.  The <tt>flush</tt> method may be used to synchronously force
106 * updates to the backing store.  Normal termination of the Java Virtual
107 * Machine will <i>not</i> result in the loss of pending updates -- an explicit
108 * <tt>flush</tt> invocation is <i>not</i> required upon termination to ensure
109 * that pending updates are made persistent.
110 *
111 * <p>All of the methods that read preferences from a <tt>Preferences</tt>
112 * object require the invoker to provide a default value.  The default value is
113 * returned if no value has been previously set <i>or if the backing store is
114 * unavailable</i>.  The intent is to allow applications to operate, albeit
115 * with slightly degraded functionality, even if the backing store becomes
116 * unavailable.  Several methods, like <tt>flush</tt>, have semantics that
117 * prevent them from operating if the backing store is unavailable.  Ordinary
118 * applications should have no need to invoke any of these methods, which can
119 * be identified by the fact that they are declared to throw {@link
120 * BackingStoreException}.
121 *
122 * <p>The methods in this class may be invoked concurrently by multiple threads
123 * in a single JVM without the need for external synchronization, and the
124 * results will be equivalent to some serial execution.  If this class is used
125 * concurrently <i>by multiple JVMs</i> that store their preference data in
126 * the same backing store, the data store will not be corrupted, but no
127 * other guarantees are made concerning the consistency of the preference
128 * data.
129 *
130 * <p>This class contains an export/import facility, allowing preferences
131 * to be "exported" to an XML document, and XML documents representing
132 * preferences to be "imported" back into the system.  This facility
133 * may be used to back up all or part of a preference tree, and
134 * subsequently restore from the backup.
135 *
136 * <p>The XML document has the following DOCTYPE declaration:
137 * <pre>
138 * &lt;!DOCTYPE preferences SYSTEM "http://java.sun.com/dtd/preferences.dtd"&gt;
139 * </pre>
140 * Note that the system URI (http://java.sun.com/dtd/preferences.dtd) is
141 * <i>not</i> accessed when exporting or importing preferences; it merely
142 * serves as a string to uniquely identify the DTD, which is:
143 * <pre>
144 *    &lt;?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?&gt;
145 *
146 *    &lt;!-- DTD for a Preferences tree. --&gt;
147 *
148 *    &lt;!-- The preferences element is at the root of an XML document
149 *         representing a Preferences tree. --&gt;
150 *    &lt;!ELEMENT preferences (root)&gt;
151 *
152 *    &lt;!-- The preferences element contains an optional version attribute,
153 *          which specifies version of DTD. --&gt;
154 *    &lt;!ATTLIST preferences EXTERNAL_XML_VERSION CDATA "0.0" &gt
155 *
156 *    &lt;!-- The root element has a map representing the root's preferences
157 *         (if any), and one node for each child of the root (if any). --&gt;
158 *    &lt;!ELEMENT root (map, node*) &gt;
159 *
160 *    &lt;!-- Additionally, the root contains a type attribute, which
161 *         specifies whether it's the system or user root. --&gt;
162 *    &lt;!ATTLIST root
163 *              type (system|user) #REQUIRED &gt;
164 *
165 *    &lt;!-- Each node has a map representing its preferences (if any),
166 *         and one node for each child (if any). --&gt;
167 *    &lt;!ELEMENT node (map, node*) &gt;
168 *
169 *    &lt;!-- Additionally, each node has a name attribute --&gt;
170 *    &lt;!ATTLIST node
171 *              name CDATA #REQUIRED &gt;
172 *
173 *    &lt;!-- A map represents the preferences stored at a node (if any). --&gt;
174 *    &lt;!ELEMENT map (entry*) &gt;
175 *
176 *    &lt;!-- An entry represents a single preference, which is simply
177 *          a key-value pair. --&gt;
178 *    &lt;!ELEMENT entry EMPTY &gt;
179 *    &lt;!ATTLIST entry
180 *              key   CDATA #REQUIRED
181 *              value CDATA #REQUIRED &gt;
182 * </pre>
183 *
184 * Every <tt>Preferences</tt> implementation must have an associated {@link
185 * PreferencesFactory} implementation.  Every Java(TM) SE implementation must provide
186 * some means of specifying which <tt>PreferencesFactory</tt> implementation
187 * is used to generate the root preferences nodes.  This allows the
188 * administrator to replace the default preferences implementation with an
189 * alternative implementation.
190 *
191 * <p>Implementation note: In Sun's JRE, the <tt>PreferencesFactory</tt>
192 * implementation is located as follows:
193 *
194 * <ol>
195 *
196 * <li><p>If the system property
197 * <tt>java.util.prefs.PreferencesFactory</tt> is defined, then it is
198 * taken to be the fully-qualified name of a class implementing the
199 * <tt>PreferencesFactory</tt> interface.  The class is loaded and
200 * instantiated; if this process fails then an unspecified error is
201 * thrown.</p></li>
202 *
203 * <li><p> If a <tt>PreferencesFactory</tt> implementation class file
204 * has been installed in a jar file that is visible to the
205 * {@link java.lang.ClassLoader#getSystemClassLoader system class loader},
206 * and that jar file contains a provider-configuration file named
207 * <tt>java.util.prefs.PreferencesFactory</tt> in the resource
208 * directory <tt>META-INF/services</tt>, then the first class name
209 * specified in that file is taken.  If more than one such jar file is
210 * provided, the first one found will be used.  The class is loaded
211 * and instantiated; if this process fails then an unspecified error
212 * is thrown.  </p></li>
213 *
214 * <li><p>Finally, if neither the above-mentioned system property nor
215 * an extension jar file is provided, then the system-wide default
216 * <tt>PreferencesFactory</tt> implementation for the underlying
217 * platform is loaded and instantiated.</p></li>
218 *
219 * </ol>
220 *
221 * @author  Josh Bloch
222 * @since   1.4
223 */
224public abstract class Preferences {
225
226    // Android-changed: Not final for testing.
227    private static PreferencesFactory factory = findPreferencesFactory();
228
229    // Android-changed: Custom implementation of findPreferencesFactory.
230    private static PreferencesFactory findPreferencesFactory() {
231        // Try the system property first...
232        PreferencesFactory result = ServiceLoader.loadFromSystemProperty(PreferencesFactory.class);
233        if (result != null) {
234            return result;
235        }
236        // Then use ServiceLoader for META-INF/services/...
237        for (PreferencesFactory impl : ServiceLoader.load(PreferencesFactory.class)) {
238            return impl;
239        }
240        // Finally return a default...
241        return new FileSystemPreferencesFactory();
242    }
243
244    /**
245     * @hide for testing only.
246     */
247    // Android-changed: Allow this to be set for testing.
248    public static PreferencesFactory setPreferencesFactory(PreferencesFactory pf) {
249        PreferencesFactory previous = factory;
250        factory = pf;
251        return previous;
252    }
253
254    /**
255     * Maximum length of string allowed as a key (80 characters).
256     */
257    public static final int MAX_KEY_LENGTH = 80;
258
259    /**
260     * Maximum length of string allowed as a value (8192 characters).
261     */
262    public static final int MAX_VALUE_LENGTH = 8*1024;
263
264    /**
265     * Maximum length of a node name (80 characters).
266     */
267    public static final int MAX_NAME_LENGTH = 80;
268
269    /**
270     * Returns the preference node from the calling user's preference tree
271     * that is associated (by convention) with the specified class's package.
272     * The convention is as follows: the absolute path name of the node is the
273     * fully qualified package name, preceded by a slash (<tt>'/'</tt>), and
274     * with each period (<tt>'.'</tt>) replaced by a slash.  For example the
275     * absolute path name of the node associated with the class
276     * <tt>com.acme.widget.Foo</tt> is <tt>/com/acme/widget</tt>.
277     *
278     * <p>This convention does not apply to the unnamed package, whose
279     * associated preference node is <tt>&lt;unnamed&gt;</tt>.  This node
280     * is not intended for long term use, but for convenience in the early
281     * development of programs that do not yet belong to a package, and
282     * for "throwaway" programs.  <i>Valuable data should not be stored
283     * at this node as it is shared by all programs that use it.</i>
284     *
285     * <p>A class <tt>Foo</tt> wishing to access preferences pertaining to its
286     * package can obtain a preference node as follows: <pre>
287     *    static Preferences prefs = Preferences.userNodeForPackage(Foo.class);
288     * </pre>
289     * This idiom obviates the need for using a string to describe the
290     * preferences node and decreases the likelihood of a run-time failure.
291     * (If the class name is misspelled, it will typically result in a
292     * compile-time error.)
293     *
294     * <p>Invoking this method will result in the creation of the returned
295     * node and its ancestors if they do not already exist.  If the returned
296     * node did not exist prior to this call, this node and any ancestors that
297     * were created by this call are not guaranteed to become permanent until
298     * the <tt>flush</tt> method is called on the returned node (or one of its
299     * ancestors or descendants).
300     *
301     * @param c the class for whose package a user preference node is desired.
302     * @return the user preference node associated with the package of which
303     *         <tt>c</tt> is a member.
304     * @throws NullPointerException if <tt>c</tt> is <tt>null</tt>.
305     * @throws SecurityException if a security manager is present and
306     *         it denies <tt>RuntimePermission("preferences")</tt>.
307     * @see    RuntimePermission
308     */
309    public static Preferences userNodeForPackage(Class<?> c) {
310        return userRoot().node(nodeName(c));
311    }
312
313    /**
314     * Returns the preference node from the system preference tree that is
315     * associated (by convention) with the specified class's package.  The
316     * convention is as follows: the absolute path name of the node is the
317     * fully qualified package name, preceded by a slash (<tt>'/'</tt>), and
318     * with each period (<tt>'.'</tt>) replaced by a slash.  For example the
319     * absolute path name of the node associated with the class
320     * <tt>com.acme.widget.Foo</tt> is <tt>/com/acme/widget</tt>.
321     *
322     * <p>This convention does not apply to the unnamed package, whose
323     * associated preference node is <tt>&lt;unnamed&gt;</tt>.  This node
324     * is not intended for long term use, but for convenience in the early
325     * development of programs that do not yet belong to a package, and
326     * for "throwaway" programs.  <i>Valuable data should not be stored
327     * at this node as it is shared by all programs that use it.</i>
328     *
329     * <p>A class <tt>Foo</tt> wishing to access preferences pertaining to its
330     * package can obtain a preference node as follows: <pre>
331     *  static Preferences prefs = Preferences.systemNodeForPackage(Foo.class);
332     * </pre>
333     * This idiom obviates the need for using a string to describe the
334     * preferences node and decreases the likelihood of a run-time failure.
335     * (If the class name is misspelled, it will typically result in a
336     * compile-time error.)
337     *
338     * <p>Invoking this method will result in the creation of the returned
339     * node and its ancestors if they do not already exist.  If the returned
340     * node did not exist prior to this call, this node and any ancestors that
341     * were created by this call are not guaranteed to become permanent until
342     * the <tt>flush</tt> method is called on the returned node (or one of its
343     * ancestors or descendants).
344     *
345     * @param c the class for whose package a system preference node is desired.
346     * @return the system preference node associated with the package of which
347     *         <tt>c</tt> is a member.
348     * @throws NullPointerException if <tt>c</tt> is <tt>null</tt>.
349     * @throws SecurityException if a security manager is present and
350     *         it denies <tt>RuntimePermission("preferences")</tt>.
351     * @see    RuntimePermission
352     */
353    public static Preferences systemNodeForPackage(Class<?> c) {
354        return systemRoot().node(nodeName(c));
355    }
356
357    /**
358     * Returns the absolute path name of the node corresponding to the package
359     * of the specified object.
360     *
361     * @throws IllegalArgumentException if the package has node preferences
362     *         node associated with it.
363     */
364    private static String nodeName(Class c) {
365        if (c.isArray())
366            throw new IllegalArgumentException(
367                "Arrays have no associated preferences node.");
368        String className = c.getName();
369        int pkgEndIndex = className.lastIndexOf('.');
370        if (pkgEndIndex < 0)
371            return "/<unnamed>";
372        String packageName = className.substring(0, pkgEndIndex);
373        return "/" + packageName.replace('.', '/');
374    }
375
376    /**
377     * This permission object represents the permission required to get
378     * access to the user or system root (which in turn allows for all
379     * other operations).
380     */
381    private static Permission prefsPerm = new RuntimePermission("preferences");
382
383    /**
384     * Returns the root preference node for the calling user.
385     *
386     * @return the root preference node for the calling user.
387     * @throws SecurityException If a security manager is present and
388     *         it denies <tt>RuntimePermission("preferences")</tt>.
389     * @see    RuntimePermission
390     */
391    public static Preferences userRoot() {
392        SecurityManager security = System.getSecurityManager();
393        if (security != null)
394            security.checkPermission(prefsPerm);
395
396        return factory.userRoot();
397    }
398
399    /**
400     * Returns the root preference node for the system.
401     *
402     * @return the root preference node for the system.
403     * @throws SecurityException If a security manager is present and
404     *         it denies <tt>RuntimePermission("preferences")</tt>.
405     * @see    RuntimePermission
406     */
407    public static Preferences systemRoot() {
408        SecurityManager security = System.getSecurityManager();
409        if (security != null)
410            security.checkPermission(prefsPerm);
411
412        return factory.systemRoot();
413    }
414
415    /**
416     * Sole constructor. (For invocation by subclass constructors, typically
417     * implicit.)
418     */
419    protected Preferences() {
420    }
421
422    /**
423     * Associates the specified value with the specified key in this
424     * preference node.
425     *
426     * @param key key with which the specified value is to be associated.
427     * @param value value to be associated with the specified key.
428     * @throws NullPointerException if key or value is <tt>null</tt>.
429     * @throws IllegalArgumentException if <tt>key.length()</tt> exceeds
430     *       <tt>MAX_KEY_LENGTH</tt> or if <tt>value.length</tt> exceeds
431     *       <tt>MAX_VALUE_LENGTH</tt>.
432     * @throws IllegalStateException if this node (or an ancestor) has been
433     *         removed with the {@link #removeNode()} method.
434     */
435    public abstract void put(String key, String value);
436
437    /**
438     * Returns the value associated with the specified key in this preference
439     * node.  Returns the specified default if there is no value associated
440     * with the key, or the backing store is inaccessible.
441     *
442     * <p>Some implementations may store default values in their backing
443     * stores.  If there is no value associated with the specified key
444     * but there is such a <i>stored default</i>, it is returned in
445     * preference to the specified default.
446     *
447     * @param key key whose associated value is to be returned.
448     * @param def the value to be returned in the event that this
449     *        preference node has no value associated with <tt>key</tt>.
450     * @return the value associated with <tt>key</tt>, or <tt>def</tt>
451     *         if no value is associated with <tt>key</tt>, or the backing
452     *         store is inaccessible.
453     * @throws IllegalStateException if this node (or an ancestor) has been
454     *         removed with the {@link #removeNode()} method.
455     * @throws NullPointerException if <tt>key</tt> is <tt>null</tt>.  (A
456     *         <tt>null</tt> value for <tt>def</tt> <i>is</i> permitted.)
457     */
458    public abstract String get(String key, String def);
459
460    /**
461     * Removes the value associated with the specified key in this preference
462     * node, if any.
463     *
464     * <p>If this implementation supports <i>stored defaults</i>, and there is
465     * such a default for the specified preference, the stored default will be
466     * "exposed" by this call, in the sense that it will be returned
467     * by a succeeding call to <tt>get</tt>.
468     *
469     * @param key key whose mapping is to be removed from the preference node.
470     * @throws NullPointerException if <tt>key</tt> is <tt>null</tt>.
471     * @throws IllegalStateException if this node (or an ancestor) has been
472     *         removed with the {@link #removeNode()} method.
473     */
474    public abstract void remove(String key);
475
476    /**
477     * Removes all of the preferences (key-value associations) in this
478     * preference node.  This call has no effect on any descendants
479     * of this node.
480     *
481     * <p>If this implementation supports <i>stored defaults</i>, and this
482     * node in the preferences hierarchy contains any such defaults,
483     * the stored defaults will be "exposed" by this call, in the sense that
484     * they will be returned by succeeding calls to <tt>get</tt>.
485     *
486     * @throws BackingStoreException if this operation cannot be completed
487     *         due to a failure in the backing store, or inability to
488     *         communicate with it.
489     * @throws IllegalStateException if this node (or an ancestor) has been
490     *         removed with the {@link #removeNode()} method.
491     * @see #removeNode()
492     */
493    public abstract void clear() throws BackingStoreException;
494
495    /**
496     * Associates a string representing the specified int value with the
497     * specified key in this preference node.  The associated string is the
498     * one that would be returned if the int value were passed to
499     * {@link Integer#toString(int)}.  This method is intended for use in
500     * conjunction with {@link #getInt}.
501     *
502     * @param key key with which the string form of value is to be associated.
503     * @param value value whose string form is to be associated with key.
504     * @throws NullPointerException if <tt>key</tt> is <tt>null</tt>.
505     * @throws IllegalArgumentException if <tt>key.length()</tt> exceeds
506     *         <tt>MAX_KEY_LENGTH</tt>.
507     * @throws IllegalStateException if this node (or an ancestor) has been
508     *         removed with the {@link #removeNode()} method.
509     * @see #getInt(String,int)
510     */
511    public abstract void putInt(String key, int value);
512
513    /**
514     * Returns the int value represented by the string associated with the
515     * specified key in this preference node.  The string is converted to
516     * an integer as by {@link Integer#parseInt(String)}.  Returns the
517     * specified default if there is no value associated with the key,
518     * the backing store is inaccessible, or if
519     * <tt>Integer.parseInt(String)</tt> would throw a {@link
520     * NumberFormatException} if the associated value were passed.  This
521     * method is intended for use in conjunction with {@link #putInt}.
522     *
523     * <p>If the implementation supports <i>stored defaults</i> and such a
524     * default exists, is accessible, and could be converted to an int
525     * with <tt>Integer.parseInt</tt>, this int is returned in preference to
526     * the specified default.
527     *
528     * @param key key whose associated value is to be returned as an int.
529     * @param def the value to be returned in the event that this
530     *        preference node has no value associated with <tt>key</tt>
531     *        or the associated value cannot be interpreted as an int,
532     *        or the backing store is inaccessible.
533     * @return the int value represented by the string associated with
534     *         <tt>key</tt> in this preference node, or <tt>def</tt> if the
535     *         associated value does not exist or cannot be interpreted as
536     *         an int.
537     * @throws IllegalStateException if this node (or an ancestor) has been
538     *         removed with the {@link #removeNode()} method.
539     * @throws NullPointerException if <tt>key</tt> is <tt>null</tt>.
540     * @see #putInt(String,int)
541     * @see #get(String,String)
542     */
543    public abstract int getInt(String key, int def);
544
545    /**
546     * Associates a string representing the specified long value with the
547     * specified key in this preference node.  The associated string is the
548     * one that would be returned if the long value were passed to
549     * {@link Long#toString(long)}.  This method is intended for use in
550     * conjunction with {@link #getLong}.
551     *
552     * @param key key with which the string form of value is to be associated.
553     * @param value value whose string form is to be associated with key.
554     * @throws NullPointerException if <tt>key</tt> is <tt>null</tt>.
555     * @throws IllegalArgumentException if <tt>key.length()</tt> exceeds
556     *         <tt>MAX_KEY_LENGTH</tt>.
557     * @throws IllegalStateException if this node (or an ancestor) has been
558     *         removed with the {@link #removeNode()} method.
559     * @see #getLong(String,long)
560     */
561    public abstract void putLong(String key, long value);
562
563    /**
564     * Returns the long value represented by the string associated with the
565     * specified key in this preference node.  The string is converted to
566     * a long as by {@link Long#parseLong(String)}.  Returns the
567     * specified default if there is no value associated with the key,
568     * the backing store is inaccessible, or if
569     * <tt>Long.parseLong(String)</tt> would throw a {@link
570     * NumberFormatException} if the associated value were passed.  This
571     * method is intended for use in conjunction with {@link #putLong}.
572     *
573     * <p>If the implementation supports <i>stored defaults</i> and such a
574     * default exists, is accessible, and could be converted to a long
575     * with <tt>Long.parseLong</tt>, this long is returned in preference to
576     * the specified default.
577     *
578     * @param key key whose associated value is to be returned as a long.
579     * @param def the value to be returned in the event that this
580     *        preference node has no value associated with <tt>key</tt>
581     *        or the associated value cannot be interpreted as a long,
582     *        or the backing store is inaccessible.
583     * @return the long value represented by the string associated with
584     *         <tt>key</tt> in this preference node, or <tt>def</tt> if the
585     *         associated value does not exist or cannot be interpreted as
586     *         a long.
587     * @throws IllegalStateException if this node (or an ancestor) has been
588     *         removed with the {@link #removeNode()} method.
589     * @throws NullPointerException if <tt>key</tt> is <tt>null</tt>.
590     * @see #putLong(String,long)
591     * @see #get(String,String)
592     */
593    public abstract long getLong(String key, long def);
594
595    /**
596     * Associates a string representing the specified boolean value with the
597     * specified key in this preference node.  The associated string is
598     * <tt>"true"</tt> if the value is true, and <tt>"false"</tt> if it is
599     * false.  This method is intended for use in conjunction with
600     * {@link #getBoolean}.
601     *
602     * @param key key with which the string form of value is to be associated.
603     * @param value value whose string form is to be associated with key.
604     * @throws NullPointerException if <tt>key</tt> is <tt>null</tt>.
605     * @throws IllegalArgumentException if <tt>key.length()</tt> exceeds
606     *         <tt>MAX_KEY_LENGTH</tt>.
607     * @throws IllegalStateException if this node (or an ancestor) has been
608     *         removed with the {@link #removeNode()} method.
609     * @see #getBoolean(String,boolean)
610     * @see #get(String,String)
611     */
612    public abstract void putBoolean(String key, boolean value);
613
614    /**
615     * Returns the boolean value represented by the string associated with the
616     * specified key in this preference node.  Valid strings
617     * are <tt>"true"</tt>, which represents true, and <tt>"false"</tt>, which
618     * represents false.  Case is ignored, so, for example, <tt>"TRUE"</tt>
619     * and <tt>"False"</tt> are also valid.  This method is intended for use in
620     * conjunction with {@link #putBoolean}.
621     *
622     * <p>Returns the specified default if there is no value
623     * associated with the key, the backing store is inaccessible, or if the
624     * associated value is something other than <tt>"true"</tt> or
625     * <tt>"false"</tt>, ignoring case.
626     *
627     * <p>If the implementation supports <i>stored defaults</i> and such a
628     * default exists and is accessible, it is used in preference to the
629     * specified default, unless the stored default is something other than
630     * <tt>"true"</tt> or <tt>"false"</tt>, ignoring case, in which case the
631     * specified default is used.
632     *
633     * @param key key whose associated value is to be returned as a boolean.
634     * @param def the value to be returned in the event that this
635     *        preference node has no value associated with <tt>key</tt>
636     *        or the associated value cannot be interpreted as a boolean,
637     *        or the backing store is inaccessible.
638     * @return the boolean value represented by the string associated with
639     *         <tt>key</tt> in this preference node, or <tt>def</tt> if the
640     *         associated value does not exist or cannot be interpreted as
641     *         a boolean.
642     * @throws IllegalStateException if this node (or an ancestor) has been
643     *         removed with the {@link #removeNode()} method.
644     * @throws NullPointerException if <tt>key</tt> is <tt>null</tt>.
645     * @see #get(String,String)
646     * @see #putBoolean(String,boolean)
647     */
648    public abstract boolean getBoolean(String key, boolean def);
649
650    /**
651     * Associates a string representing the specified float value with the
652     * specified key in this preference node.  The associated string is the
653     * one that would be returned if the float value were passed to
654     * {@link Float#toString(float)}.  This method is intended for use in
655     * conjunction with {@link #getFloat}.
656     *
657     * @param key key with which the string form of value is to be associated.
658     * @param value value whose string form is to be associated with key.
659     * @throws NullPointerException if <tt>key</tt> is <tt>null</tt>.
660     * @throws IllegalArgumentException if <tt>key.length()</tt> exceeds
661     *         <tt>MAX_KEY_LENGTH</tt>.
662     * @throws IllegalStateException if this node (or an ancestor) has been
663     *         removed with the {@link #removeNode()} method.
664     * @see #getFloat(String,float)
665     */
666    public abstract void putFloat(String key, float value);
667
668    /**
669     * Returns the float value represented by the string associated with the
670     * specified key in this preference node.  The string is converted to an
671     * integer as by {@link Float#parseFloat(String)}.  Returns the specified
672     * default if there is no value associated with the key, the backing store
673     * is inaccessible, or if <tt>Float.parseFloat(String)</tt> would throw a
674     * {@link NumberFormatException} if the associated value were passed.
675     * This method is intended for use in conjunction with {@link #putFloat}.
676     *
677     * <p>If the implementation supports <i>stored defaults</i> and such a
678     * default exists, is accessible, and could be converted to a float
679     * with <tt>Float.parseFloat</tt>, this float is returned in preference to
680     * the specified default.
681     *
682     * @param key key whose associated value is to be returned as a float.
683     * @param def the value to be returned in the event that this
684     *        preference node has no value associated with <tt>key</tt>
685     *        or the associated value cannot be interpreted as a float,
686     *        or the backing store is inaccessible.
687     * @return the float value represented by the string associated with
688     *         <tt>key</tt> in this preference node, or <tt>def</tt> if the
689     *         associated value does not exist or cannot be interpreted as
690     *         a float.
691     * @throws IllegalStateException if this node (or an ancestor) has been
692     *         removed with the {@link #removeNode()} method.
693     * @throws NullPointerException if <tt>key</tt> is <tt>null</tt>.
694     * @see #putFloat(String,float)
695     * @see #get(String,String)
696     */
697    public abstract float getFloat(String key, float def);
698
699    /**
700     * Associates a string representing the specified double value with the
701     * specified key in this preference node.  The associated string is the
702     * one that would be returned if the double value were passed to
703     * {@link Double#toString(double)}.  This method is intended for use in
704     * conjunction with {@link #getDouble}.
705     *
706     * @param key key with which the string form of value is to be associated.
707     * @param value value whose string form is to be associated with key.
708     * @throws NullPointerException if <tt>key</tt> is <tt>null</tt>.
709     * @throws IllegalArgumentException if <tt>key.length()</tt> exceeds
710     *         <tt>MAX_KEY_LENGTH</tt>.
711     * @throws IllegalStateException if this node (or an ancestor) has been
712     *         removed with the {@link #removeNode()} method.
713     * @see #getDouble(String,double)
714     */
715    public abstract void putDouble(String key, double value);
716
717    /**
718     * Returns the double value represented by the string associated with the
719     * specified key in this preference node.  The string is converted to an
720     * integer as by {@link Double#parseDouble(String)}.  Returns the specified
721     * default if there is no value associated with the key, the backing store
722     * is inaccessible, or if <tt>Double.parseDouble(String)</tt> would throw a
723     * {@link NumberFormatException} if the associated value were passed.
724     * This method is intended for use in conjunction with {@link #putDouble}.
725     *
726     * <p>If the implementation supports <i>stored defaults</i> and such a
727     * default exists, is accessible, and could be converted to a double
728     * with <tt>Double.parseDouble</tt>, this double is returned in preference
729     * to the specified default.
730     *
731     * @param key key whose associated value is to be returned as a double.
732     * @param def the value to be returned in the event that this
733     *        preference node has no value associated with <tt>key</tt>
734     *        or the associated value cannot be interpreted as a double,
735     *        or the backing store is inaccessible.
736     * @return the double value represented by the string associated with
737     *         <tt>key</tt> in this preference node, or <tt>def</tt> if the
738     *         associated value does not exist or cannot be interpreted as
739     *         a double.
740     * @throws IllegalStateException if this node (or an ancestor) has been
741     *         removed with the {@link #removeNode()} method.
742     * @throws NullPointerException if <tt>key</tt> is <tt>null</tt>.
743     * @see #putDouble(String,double)
744     * @see #get(String,String)
745     */
746    public abstract double getDouble(String key, double def);
747
748    /**
749     * Associates a string representing the specified byte array with the
750     * specified key in this preference node.  The associated string is
751     * the <i>Base64</i> encoding of the byte array, as defined in <a
752     * href=http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2045.txt>RFC 2045</a>, Section 6.8,
753     * with one minor change: the string will consist solely of characters
754     * from the <i>Base64 Alphabet</i>; it will not contain any newline
755     * characters.  Note that the maximum length of the byte array is limited
756     * to three quarters of <tt>MAX_VALUE_LENGTH</tt> so that the length
757     * of the Base64 encoded String does not exceed <tt>MAX_VALUE_LENGTH</tt>.
758     * This method is intended for use in conjunction with
759     * {@link #getByteArray}.
760     *
761     * @param key key with which the string form of value is to be associated.
762     * @param value value whose string form is to be associated with key.
763     * @throws NullPointerException if key or value is <tt>null</tt>.
764     * @throws IllegalArgumentException if key.length() exceeds MAX_KEY_LENGTH
765     *         or if value.length exceeds MAX_VALUE_LENGTH*3/4.
766     * @throws IllegalStateException if this node (or an ancestor) has been
767     *         removed with the {@link #removeNode()} method.
768     * @see #getByteArray(String,byte[])
769     * @see #get(String,String)
770     */
771    public abstract void putByteArray(String key, byte[] value);
772
773    /**
774     * Returns the byte array value represented by the string associated with
775     * the specified key in this preference node.  Valid strings are
776     * <i>Base64</i> encoded binary data, as defined in <a
777     * href=http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2045.txt>RFC 2045</a>, Section 6.8,
778     * with one minor change: the string must consist solely of characters
779     * from the <i>Base64 Alphabet</i>; no newline characters or
780     * extraneous characters are permitted.  This method is intended for use
781     * in conjunction with {@link #putByteArray}.
782     *
783     * <p>Returns the specified default if there is no value
784     * associated with the key, the backing store is inaccessible, or if the
785     * associated value is not a valid Base64 encoded byte array
786     * (as defined above).
787     *
788     * <p>If the implementation supports <i>stored defaults</i> and such a
789     * default exists and is accessible, it is used in preference to the
790     * specified default, unless the stored default is not a valid Base64
791     * encoded byte array (as defined above), in which case the
792     * specified default is used.
793     *
794     * @param key key whose associated value is to be returned as a byte array.
795     * @param def the value to be returned in the event that this
796     *        preference node has no value associated with <tt>key</tt>
797     *        or the associated value cannot be interpreted as a byte array,
798     *        or the backing store is inaccessible.
799     * @return the byte array value represented by the string associated with
800     *         <tt>key</tt> in this preference node, or <tt>def</tt> if the
801     *         associated value does not exist or cannot be interpreted as
802     *         a byte array.
803     * @throws IllegalStateException if this node (or an ancestor) has been
804     *         removed with the {@link #removeNode()} method.
805     * @throws NullPointerException if <tt>key</tt> is <tt>null</tt>.  (A
806     *         <tt>null</tt> value for <tt>def</tt> <i>is</i> permitted.)
807     * @see #get(String,String)
808     * @see #putByteArray(String,byte[])
809     */
810    public abstract byte[] getByteArray(String key, byte[] def);
811
812    /**
813     * Returns all of the keys that have an associated value in this
814     * preference node.  (The returned array will be of size zero if
815     * this node has no preferences.)
816     *
817     * <p>If the implementation supports <i>stored defaults</i> and there
818     * are any such defaults at this node that have not been overridden,
819     * by explicit preferences, the defaults are returned in the array in
820     * addition to any explicit preferences.
821     *
822     * @return an array of the keys that have an associated value in this
823     *         preference node.
824     * @throws BackingStoreException if this operation cannot be completed
825     *         due to a failure in the backing store, or inability to
826     *         communicate with it.
827     * @throws IllegalStateException if this node (or an ancestor) has been
828     *         removed with the {@link #removeNode()} method.
829     */
830    public abstract String[] keys() throws BackingStoreException;
831
832    /**
833     * Returns the names of the children of this preference node, relative to
834     * this node.  (The returned array will be of size zero if this node has
835     * no children.)
836     *
837     * @return the names of the children of this preference node.
838     * @throws BackingStoreException if this operation cannot be completed
839     *         due to a failure in the backing store, or inability to
840     *         communicate with it.
841     * @throws IllegalStateException if this node (or an ancestor) has been
842     *         removed with the {@link #removeNode()} method.
843     */
844    public abstract String[] childrenNames() throws BackingStoreException;
845
846    /**
847     * Returns the parent of this preference node, or <tt>null</tt> if this is
848     * the root.
849     *
850     * @return the parent of this preference node.
851     * @throws IllegalStateException if this node (or an ancestor) has been
852     *         removed with the {@link #removeNode()} method.
853     */
854    public abstract Preferences parent();
855
856    /**
857     * Returns the named preference node in the same tree as this node,
858     * creating it and any of its ancestors if they do not already exist.
859     * Accepts a relative or absolute path name.  Relative path names
860     * (which do not begin with the slash character <tt>('/')</tt>) are
861     * interpreted relative to this preference node.
862     *
863     * <p>If the returned node did not exist prior to this call, this node and
864     * any ancestors that were created by this call are not guaranteed
865     * to become permanent until the <tt>flush</tt> method is called on
866     * the returned node (or one of its ancestors or descendants).
867     *
868     * @param pathName the path name of the preference node to return.
869     * @return the specified preference node.
870     * @throws IllegalArgumentException if the path name is invalid (i.e.,
871     *         it contains multiple consecutive slash characters, or ends
872     *         with a slash character and is more than one character long).
873     * @throws NullPointerException if path name is <tt>null</tt>.
874     * @throws IllegalStateException if this node (or an ancestor) has been
875     *         removed with the {@link #removeNode()} method.
876     * @see #flush()
877     */
878    public abstract Preferences node(String pathName);
879
880    /**
881     * Returns true if the named preference node exists in the same tree
882     * as this node.  Relative path names (which do not begin with the slash
883     * character <tt>('/')</tt>) are interpreted relative to this preference
884     * node.
885     *
886     * <p>If this node (or an ancestor) has already been removed with the
887     * {@link #removeNode()} method, it <i>is</i> legal to invoke this method,
888     * but only with the path name <tt>""</tt>; the invocation will return
889     * <tt>false</tt>.  Thus, the idiom <tt>p.nodeExists("")</tt> may be
890     * used to test whether <tt>p</tt> has been removed.
891     *
892     * @param pathName the path name of the node whose existence
893     *        is to be checked.
894     * @return true if the specified node exists.
895     * @throws BackingStoreException if this operation cannot be completed
896     *         due to a failure in the backing store, or inability to
897     *         communicate with it.
898     * @throws IllegalArgumentException if the path name is invalid (i.e.,
899     *         it contains multiple consecutive slash characters, or ends
900     *         with a slash character and is more than one character long).
901     * @throws NullPointerException if path name is <tt>null</tt>.
902     * @throws IllegalStateException if this node (or an ancestor) has been
903     *         removed with the {@link #removeNode()} method and
904     *         <tt>pathName</tt> is not the empty string (<tt>""</tt>).
905     */
906    public abstract boolean nodeExists(String pathName)
907        throws BackingStoreException;
908
909    /**
910     * Removes this preference node and all of its descendants, invalidating
911     * any preferences contained in the removed nodes.  Once a node has been
912     * removed, attempting any method other than {@link #name()},
913     * {@link #absolutePath()}, {@link #isUserNode()}, {@link #flush()} or
914     * {@link #node(String) nodeExists("")} on the corresponding
915     * <tt>Preferences</tt> instance will fail with an
916     * <tt>IllegalStateException</tt>.  (The methods defined on {@link Object}
917     * can still be invoked on a node after it has been removed; they will not
918     * throw <tt>IllegalStateException</tt>.)
919     *
920     * <p>The removal is not guaranteed to be persistent until the
921     * <tt>flush</tt> method is called on this node (or an ancestor).
922     *
923     * <p>If this implementation supports <i>stored defaults</i>, removing a
924     * node exposes any stored defaults at or below this node.  Thus, a
925     * subsequent call to <tt>nodeExists</tt> on this node's path name may
926     * return <tt>true</tt>, and a subsequent call to <tt>node</tt> on this
927     * path name may return a (different) <tt>Preferences</tt> instance
928     * representing a non-empty collection of preferences and/or children.
929     *
930     * @throws BackingStoreException if this operation cannot be completed
931     *         due to a failure in the backing store, or inability to
932     *         communicate with it.
933     * @throws IllegalStateException if this node (or an ancestor) has already
934     *         been removed with the {@link #removeNode()} method.
935     * @throws UnsupportedOperationException if this method is invoked on
936     *         the root node.
937     * @see #flush()
938     */
939    public abstract void removeNode() throws BackingStoreException;
940
941    /**
942     * Returns this preference node's name, relative to its parent.
943     *
944     * @return this preference node's name, relative to its parent.
945     */
946    public abstract String name();
947
948    /**
949     * Returns this preference node's absolute path name.
950     *
951     * @return this preference node's absolute path name.
952     */
953    public abstract String absolutePath();
954
955    /**
956     * Returns <tt>true</tt> if this preference node is in the user
957     * preference tree, <tt>false</tt> if it's in the system preference tree.
958     *
959     * @return <tt>true</tt> if this preference node is in the user
960     *         preference tree, <tt>false</tt> if it's in the system
961     *         preference tree.
962     */
963    public abstract boolean isUserNode();
964
965    /**
966     * Returns a string representation of this preferences node,
967     * as if computed by the expression:<tt>(this.isUserNode() ? "User" :
968     * "System") + " Preference Node: " + this.absolutePath()</tt>.
969     */
970    public abstract String toString();
971
972    /**
973     * Forces any changes in the contents of this preference node and its
974     * descendants to the persistent store.  Once this method returns
975     * successfully, it is safe to assume that all changes made in the
976     * subtree rooted at this node prior to the method invocation have become
977     * permanent.
978     *
979     * <p>Implementations are free to flush changes into the persistent store
980     * at any time.  They do not need to wait for this method to be called.
981     *
982     * <p>When a flush occurs on a newly created node, it is made persistent,
983     * as are any ancestors (and descendants) that have yet to be made
984     * persistent.  Note however that any preference value changes in
985     * ancestors are <i>not</i> guaranteed to be made persistent.
986     *
987     * <p> If this method is invoked on a node that has been removed with
988     * the {@link #removeNode()} method, flushSpi() is invoked on this node,
989     * but not on others.
990     *
991     * @throws BackingStoreException if this operation cannot be completed
992     *         due to a failure in the backing store, or inability to
993     *         communicate with it.
994     * @see    #sync()
995     */
996    public abstract void flush() throws BackingStoreException;
997
998    /**
999     * Ensures that future reads from this preference node and its
1000     * descendants reflect any changes that were committed to the persistent
1001     * store (from any VM) prior to the <tt>sync</tt> invocation.  As a
1002     * side-effect, forces any changes in the contents of this preference node
1003     * and its descendants to the persistent store, as if the <tt>flush</tt>
1004     * method had been invoked on this node.
1005     *
1006     * @throws BackingStoreException if this operation cannot be completed
1007     *         due to a failure in the backing store, or inability to
1008     *         communicate with it.
1009     * @throws IllegalStateException if this node (or an ancestor) has been
1010     *         removed with the {@link #removeNode()} method.
1011     * @see    #flush()
1012     */
1013    public abstract void sync() throws BackingStoreException;
1014
1015    /**
1016     * Registers the specified listener to receive <i>preference change
1017     * events</i> for this preference node.  A preference change event is
1018     * generated when a preference is added to this node, removed from this
1019     * node, or when the value associated with a preference is changed.
1020     * (Preference change events are <i>not</i> generated by the {@link
1021     * #removeNode()} method, which generates a <i>node change event</i>.
1022     * Preference change events <i>are</i> generated by the <tt>clear</tt>
1023     * method.)
1024     *
1025     * <p>Events are only guaranteed for changes made within the same JVM
1026     * as the registered listener, though some implementations may generate
1027     * events for changes made outside this JVM.  Events may be generated
1028     * before the changes have been made persistent.  Events are not generated
1029     * when preferences are modified in descendants of this node; a caller
1030     * desiring such events must register with each descendant.
1031     *
1032     * @param pcl The preference change listener to add.
1033     * @throws NullPointerException if <tt>pcl</tt> is null.
1034     * @throws IllegalStateException if this node (or an ancestor) has been
1035     *         removed with the {@link #removeNode()} method.
1036     * @see #removePreferenceChangeListener(PreferenceChangeListener)
1037     * @see #addNodeChangeListener(NodeChangeListener)
1038     */
1039    public abstract void addPreferenceChangeListener(
1040        PreferenceChangeListener pcl);
1041
1042    /**
1043     * Removes the specified preference change listener, so it no longer
1044     * receives preference change events.
1045     *
1046     * @param pcl The preference change listener to remove.
1047     * @throws IllegalArgumentException if <tt>pcl</tt> was not a registered
1048     *         preference change listener on this node.
1049     * @throws IllegalStateException if this node (or an ancestor) has been
1050     *         removed with the {@link #removeNode()} method.
1051     * @see #addPreferenceChangeListener(PreferenceChangeListener)
1052     */
1053    public abstract void removePreferenceChangeListener(
1054        PreferenceChangeListener pcl);
1055
1056    /**
1057     * Registers the specified listener to receive <i>node change events</i>
1058     * for this node.  A node change event is generated when a child node is
1059     * added to or removed from this node.  (A single {@link #removeNode()}
1060     * invocation results in multiple <i>node change events</i>, one for every
1061     * node in the subtree rooted at the removed node.)
1062     *
1063     * <p>Events are only guaranteed for changes made within the same JVM
1064     * as the registered listener, though some implementations may generate
1065     * events for changes made outside this JVM.  Events may be generated
1066     * before the changes have become permanent.  Events are not generated
1067     * when indirect descendants of this node are added or removed; a
1068     * caller desiring such events must register with each descendant.
1069     *
1070     * <p>Few guarantees can be made regarding node creation.  Because nodes
1071     * are created implicitly upon access, it may not be feasible for an
1072     * implementation to determine whether a child node existed in the backing
1073     * store prior to access (for example, because the backing store is
1074     * unreachable or cached information is out of date).  Under these
1075     * circumstances, implementations are neither required to generate node
1076     * change events nor prohibited from doing so.
1077     *
1078     * @param ncl The <tt>NodeChangeListener</tt> to add.
1079     * @throws NullPointerException if <tt>ncl</tt> is null.
1080     * @throws IllegalStateException if this node (or an ancestor) has been
1081     *         removed with the {@link #removeNode()} method.
1082     * @see #removeNodeChangeListener(NodeChangeListener)
1083     * @see #addPreferenceChangeListener(PreferenceChangeListener)
1084     */
1085    public abstract void addNodeChangeListener(NodeChangeListener ncl);
1086
1087    /**
1088     * Removes the specified <tt>NodeChangeListener</tt>, so it no longer
1089     * receives change events.
1090     *
1091     * @param ncl The <tt>NodeChangeListener</tt> to remove.
1092     * @throws IllegalArgumentException if <tt>ncl</tt> was not a registered
1093     *         <tt>NodeChangeListener</tt> on this node.
1094     * @throws IllegalStateException if this node (or an ancestor) has been
1095     *         removed with the {@link #removeNode()} method.
1096     * @see #addNodeChangeListener(NodeChangeListener)
1097     */
1098    public abstract void removeNodeChangeListener(NodeChangeListener ncl);
1099
1100    /**
1101     * Emits on the specified output stream an XML document representing all
1102     * of the preferences contained in this node (but not its descendants).
1103     * This XML document is, in effect, an offline backup of the node.
1104     *
1105     * <p>The XML document will have the following DOCTYPE declaration:
1106     * <pre>
1107     * &lt;!DOCTYPE preferences SYSTEM "http://java.sun.com/dtd/preferences.dtd"&gt;
1108     * </pre>
1109     * The UTF-8 character encoding will be used.
1110     *
1111     * <p>This method is an exception to the general rule that the results of
1112     * concurrently executing multiple methods in this class yields
1113     * results equivalent to some serial execution.  If the preferences
1114     * at this node are modified concurrently with an invocation of this
1115     * method, the exported preferences comprise a "fuzzy snapshot" of the
1116     * preferences contained in the node; some of the concurrent modifications
1117     * may be reflected in the exported data while others may not.
1118     *
1119     * @param os the output stream on which to emit the XML document.
1120     * @throws IOException if writing to the specified output stream
1121     *         results in an <tt>IOException</tt>.
1122     * @throws BackingStoreException if preference data cannot be read from
1123     *         backing store.
1124     * @see    #importPreferences(InputStream)
1125     * @throws IllegalStateException if this node (or an ancestor) has been
1126     *         removed with the {@link #removeNode()} method.
1127     */
1128    public abstract void exportNode(OutputStream os)
1129        throws IOException, BackingStoreException;
1130
1131    /**
1132     * Emits an XML document representing all of the preferences contained
1133     * in this node and all of its descendants.  This XML document is, in
1134     * effect, an offline backup of the subtree rooted at the node.
1135     *
1136     * <p>The XML document will have the following DOCTYPE declaration:
1137     * <pre>
1138     * &lt;!DOCTYPE preferences SYSTEM "http://java.sun.com/dtd/preferences.dtd"&gt;
1139     * </pre>
1140     * The UTF-8 character encoding will be used.
1141     *
1142     * <p>This method is an exception to the general rule that the results of
1143     * concurrently executing multiple methods in this class yields
1144     * results equivalent to some serial execution.  If the preferences
1145     * or nodes in the subtree rooted at this node are modified concurrently
1146     * with an invocation of this method, the exported preferences comprise a
1147     * "fuzzy snapshot" of the subtree; some of the concurrent modifications
1148     * may be reflected in the exported data while others may not.
1149     *
1150     * @param os the output stream on which to emit the XML document.
1151     * @throws IOException if writing to the specified output stream
1152     *         results in an <tt>IOException</tt>.
1153     * @throws BackingStoreException if preference data cannot be read from
1154     *         backing store.
1155     * @throws IllegalStateException if this node (or an ancestor) has been
1156     *         removed with the {@link #removeNode()} method.
1157     * @see    #importPreferences(InputStream)
1158     * @see    #exportNode(OutputStream)
1159     */
1160    public abstract void exportSubtree(OutputStream os)
1161        throws IOException, BackingStoreException;
1162
1163    /**
1164     * Imports all of the preferences represented by the XML document on the
1165     * specified input stream.  The document may represent user preferences or
1166     * system preferences.  If it represents user preferences, the preferences
1167     * will be imported into the calling user's preference tree (even if they
1168     * originally came from a different user's preference tree).  If any of
1169     * the preferences described by the document inhabit preference nodes that
1170     * do not exist, the nodes will be created.
1171     *
1172     * <p>The XML document must have the following DOCTYPE declaration:
1173     * <pre>
1174     * &lt;!DOCTYPE preferences SYSTEM "http://java.sun.com/dtd/preferences.dtd"&gt;
1175     * </pre>
1176     * (This method is designed for use in conjunction with
1177     * {@link #exportNode(OutputStream)} and
1178     * {@link #exportSubtree(OutputStream)}.
1179     *
1180     * <p>This method is an exception to the general rule that the results of
1181     * concurrently executing multiple methods in this class yields
1182     * results equivalent to some serial execution.  The method behaves
1183     * as if implemented on top of the other public methods in this class,
1184     * notably {@link #node(String)} and {@link #put(String, String)}.
1185     *
1186     * @param is the input stream from which to read the XML document.
1187     * @throws IOException if reading from the specified input stream
1188     *         results in an <tt>IOException</tt>.
1189     * @throws InvalidPreferencesFormatException Data on input stream does not
1190     *         constitute a valid XML document with the mandated document type.
1191     * @throws SecurityException If a security manager is present and
1192     *         it denies <tt>RuntimePermission("preferences")</tt>.
1193     * @see    RuntimePermission
1194     */
1195    public static void importPreferences(InputStream is)
1196        throws IOException, InvalidPreferencesFormatException
1197    {
1198        XmlSupport.importPreferences(is);
1199    }
1200}
1201