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  package java.security.cert;
  
  /**
   * A specification of {@code CertStore} parameters.
   * <p>
   * The purpose of this interface is to group (and provide type safety for)
   * all {@code CertStore} parameter specifications. All
   * {@code CertStore} parameter specifications must implement this
   * interface.
   * <p>
   * Typically, a {@code CertStoreParameters} object is passed as a parameter
   * to one of the {@link CertStore#getInstance CertStore.getInstance} methods.
   * The {@code getInstance} method returns a {@code CertStore} that
   * is used for retrieving {@code Certificate}s and {@code CRL}s. The
   * {@code CertStore} that is returned is initialized with the specified
   * parameters. The type of parameters needed may vary between different types
   * of {@code CertStore}s.
   *
   * @see CertStore#getInstance
   *
   * @since       1.4
   * @author      Steve Hanna
   */
  public interface CertStoreParameters extends Cloneable {
  
      /**
       * Makes a copy of this {@code CertStoreParameters}.
       * <p>
       * The precise meaning of "copy" may depend on the class of
       * the {@code CertStoreParameters} object. A typical implementation
       * performs a "deep copy" of this object, but this is not an absolute
       * requirement. Some implementations may perform a "shallow copy" of some
       * or all of the fields of this object.
       * <p>
       * Note that the {@code CertStore.getInstance} methods make a copy
       * of the specified {@code CertStoreParameters}. A deep copy
       * implementation of {@code clone} is safer and more robust, as it
       * prevents the caller from corrupting a shared {@code CertStore} by
       * subsequently modifying the contents of its initialization parameters.
       * However, a shallow copy implementation of {@code clone} is more
       * appropriate for applications that need to hold a reference to a
       * parameter contained in the {@code CertStoreParameters}. For example,
       * a shallow copy clone allows an application to release the resources of
       * a particular {@code CertStore} initialization parameter immediately,
       * rather than waiting for the garbage collection mechanism. This should
       * be done with the utmost care, since the {@code CertStore} may still
       * be in use by other threads.
       * <p>
       * Each subclass should state the precise behavior of this method so
       * that users and developers know what to expect.
       *
       * @return a copy of this {@code CertStoreParameters}
       */
      Object clone();
  }
  