## javax.xml.xquery
Interface XQSequence

All Superinterfaces:
  XQItemAccessor

All Known Subinterfaces:
  XQResultSequence

All Known Implementing Classes:
  SaxonXQForwardSequence, SaxonXQSequence

    public interface XQSequence

extends XQItemAccessor

This interface represents a sequence of items as defined in the XDM. The sequence may be materialized or non-materialized.

The `next` method is useful to position the `XQSequence` over the next item in the sequence. If the scrollability is `XQConstants.SCROLLTYPE_SCROLLABLE`, then the `previous` method can be called to move backwards. In the case of a forward only sequence, the get methods may be only called once per item. To perform multiple gets on an item, extract the item first from the sequence using the `getItem` method and then operate on the `XQItem` object.

      XQPreparedExpression expr = conn.prepareExpression("for $i ..");
      XQSequence result = expr.executeQuery();

      // create the ItemTypes for string and integer
      XQItemType strType = conn.createAtomicType(XQItemType.XQBASETYPE_STRING);
      XQItemType intType = conn.createAtomicType(XQItemType.XQBASETYPE_INT);

      // positioned before the first item
      while (result.next())
      {
        XQItemType type = result.getItemType();

        // If string, then get the string value out
        if (type.equals(strType))
          String str = result.getAtomicValue();
        else if (type.equals(intType))  // if it is an integer..
          int intval = result.getInt();

         ...
      }

In a sequence, the cursor may be positioned on an item, after the last item or before the first item. The `getPosition` method returns the current position number. A value of 0 indicates that it is positioned before the first item, a value of `count() + 1` indicates that it is positioned after the last item, and any other value indicates that it is positioned on the item at that position.

For example, a position value of 1 indicates that it is positioned on the item at position 1.

The `isOnItem` method may be used to find out if the cursor is positioned on the item. When the cursor is positioned on an item, the `next` method call will move the cursor to be on the next item.

See also: Section 12 Serialization, XQuery API for Java (XQJ) 1.0, which describes some general information applicable to various XQJ serialization methods.

Method Summary
`boolean` `absolute(int itempos)` Moves the `XQSequence`'s position to the given item number in this object.
`void` `afterLast()` Move to the position after the last item.
`void` `beforeFirst()` Moves to the position before the first item.
`void` `close()` Closes the sequence and frees all resources associated with this sequence.
`int` `count()` Returns a number indicating the number of items in the sequence.
`boolean` `first()` Moves to the first item in the sequence.
`XQItem` `getItem()` Get the current item as an immutable `XQItem` object.
`int` `getPosition()` Gets the current cursor position.
`XMLStreamReader` `getSequenceAsStream()` Read the entire sequence starting from the current position as an `XMLStreamReader` object, as described in Section 12.1 Serializing an XDM instance into a StAX event stream (XMLStreamReader), XQuery API for Java (XQJ) 1.0.
`String` `getSequenceAsString(Properties props)` Serializes the sequence starting from the current position to a String according to the XSLT 2.0 and XQuery 1.0 serialization.
`boolean` `isAfterLast()` Checks if the current position is after the last item in the sequence.
`boolean` `isBeforeFirst()` Checks if the current position before the first item in the sequence.
`boolean` `isClosed()` Checks if the sequence is closed.
`boolean` `isFirst()` Checks if the current position at the first item in the sequence.
`boolean` `isLast()` Checks if the current position at the last item in the sequence.
`boolean` `isOnItem()` Check if the sequence is positioned on an item or not.
`boolean` `isScrollable()` Checks if the sequence is scrollable.
`boolean` `last()` Moves to the last item in the sequence.
`boolean` `next()` Moves to the next item in the sequence.
`boolean` `previous()` Moves to the previous item in the sequence.
`boolean` `relative(int itempos)` Moves the cursor a relative number of items, either positive or negative.
`void` `writeSequence(OutputStream os, Properties props)` Serializes the sequence starting from the current position to an `OutputStream` according to the XSLT 2.0 and XQuery 1.0 serialization.
`void` `writeSequence(Writer ow, Properties props)` Serializes the sequence starting from the current position to a Writer according to the XSLT 2.0 and XQuery 1.0 serialization.
`void` `writeSequenceToResult(Result result)` Writes the entire sequence starting from the current position to a `Result`.
`void` `writeSequenceToSAX(ContentHandler saxhdlr)` Writes the entire sequence starting from the current position to a SAX handler, as described in Section 12.2 Serializing an XDM instance into a SAX event stream, XQuery API for Java (XQJ) 1.0.

Methods inherited from interface javax.xml.xquery.XQItemAccessor
`getAtomicValue, getBoolean, getByte, getDouble, getFloat, getInt, getItemAsStream, getItemAsString, getItemType, getLong, getNode, getNodeUri, getObject, getShort, instanceOf, writeItem, writeItem, writeItemToResult, writeItemToSAX`

Method Detail

### absolute

    boolean absolute(int itempos)
                     throws XQException

  Moves the `XQSequence`'s position to the given item number in this object. If the item number is positive, the `XQSequence` moves to the given item number with respect to the beginning of the `XQSequence`.

  The first item is item 1, the second is item 2, and so on.

  If the given item number is negative, the `XQSequence` positions itself on an absolute item position with respect to the end of the sequence.

  For example, calling the method `absolute(-1)` positions the `XQSequence` on the last item; calling the method `absolute(-2)` moves the `XQSequence` to the next-to-last item, and so on. `absolute(0)` will position the sequence before the first item.

  An attempt to position the sequence beyond the first/last item set leaves the current position to be before the first item or after the last item.

  Calling this method on an empty sequence will return `false`.

  Parameters:
    `itempos` - the item position to jump to
  Returns:
    `true` if the current position is within the sequence, `false` otherwise
  Throws:
    `XQException` - if (1) the sequence is forward only, or (2) the sequence is in a closed state

### afterLast

    void afterLast()
                   throws XQException

  Move to the position after the last item.

  Throws:
    `XQException` - if (1) the sequence is forward only, or (2) the sequence is in a closed state

### beforeFirst

    void beforeFirst()
                     throws XQException

  Moves to the position before the first item.

  Throws:
    `XQException` - if (1) the sequence is forward only, or (2) the sequence is in a closed state

### close

    void close()
               throws XQException

  Closes the sequence and frees all resources associated with this sequence. Closing an `XQSequence` object also implicitly closes all `XQItem` objects obtained from it. All methods other than the `isClosed` or `close` method will raise exceptions when invoked after closing the sequence. Calling `close` on an `XQSequence` object that is already closed has no effect.

  Throws:
    `XQException` - if there are errors during closing of the sequence

### isClosed

    boolean isClosed()

  Checks if the sequence is closed.

  Returns:
    `true` if the sequence is in a closed state, `false` otherwise

### count

    int count()
              throws XQException

  Returns a number indicating the number of items in the sequence.

  Returns:
    the number of items in this sequence
  Throws:
    `XQException` - if (1) the sequence is forward-only, or (2) the sequence is closed

### getPosition

    int getPosition()
                    throws XQException

  Gets the current cursor position.

  0 indicates that the position is before the first item and `count() + 1` indicates position after the last item. A specific position indicates that the cursor is positioned on the item at that position. Use the `isOnItem` method to verify if the cursor is positioned on the item.

  Calling this method on an empty sequence will return `0`.

  Throws:
    `XQException` - if (1) the sequence is forward-only, or (2) the sequence is closed

### isOnItem

    boolean isOnItem()
                     throws XQException

  Check if the sequence is positioned on an item or not. Calling this method on an empty sequence will return `false`.

  Returns:
    `true` if the sequence is currently positioned on an item, `false` if sequence is positioned before the first item, or after the last item
  Throws:
    `XQException` - if the sequence is in a closed state

### isScrollable

    boolean isScrollable()
                         throws XQException

  Checks if the sequence is scrollable.

  Returns:
    `true` if the sequence can be scrolled backward or forward, `false` otherwise
  Throws:
    `XQException` - if the sequence is in a closed state

### first

    boolean first()
                  throws XQException

  Moves to the first item in the sequence. The method returns `true`, if it was able to move to the first item in the sequence `false`, otherwise. Calling this method on an empty sequence will return `false`.

  Returns:
    `true` if the sequence was positioned on the first item, `false` otherwise
  Throws:
    `XQException` - if (1) the sequence is forward only, or (2) the sequence is in a closed state

### getItem

    XQItem getItem()
                   throws XQException

  Get the current item as an immutable `XQItem` object. In case of an `XQResultSequence`, the item is an `XQResultItem`. In the case of forward only sequences, this method or any other get or write method may only be called once on the curent item.

  The `XQItem` object is dependent on the sequence from which it was created and is only valid for the duration of `XQSequence` lifetime. Thus, the `XQSequence` is closed, this `XQItem` object will be implicitly closed and it can no longer be used.

  Returns:
    an `XQItem` object
  Throws:
    `XQException` - if (1) there are errors retrieving the item, or (2) in the case of a forward only sequence, a get or write method has already been invoked on the current item.

### getSequenceAsStream

    XMLStreamReader getSequenceAsStream()
                                        throws XQException

  Read the entire sequence starting from the current position as an `XMLStreamReader` object, as described in Section 12.1 Serializing an XDM instance into a StAX event stream (XMLStreamReader), XQuery API for Java (XQJ) 1.0. Note that the serialization process might fail, in which case a `XQException` is thrown. While the stream is being read, the application MUST NOT do any other concurrent operations on the sequence. The operation on the stream is undefined if the underlying sequence position or state is changed by concurrent operations. After all items are written to the stream, the current position of the cursor is set to point after the last item. Also, in the case of forward only sequences, this method may only be called if the current item has not yet been read through any of the get or write methods.

  Returns:
    an XML reader object as `XMLStreamReader`
  Throws:
    `XQException` - if (1) there are errors accessing any of the items in the sequence, (2) the sequence is in a closed state, (3) in the case of a forward only sequence, a get or write method has already been invoked on the current item, or (4) in case of an error during serialization of the sequence into a StAX event stream as defined in Section 12.1 Serializing an XDM instance into a StAX event stream (XMLStreamReader), XQuery API for Java (XQJ) 1.0

### getSequenceAsString

    String getSequenceAsString(Properties props)
                               throws XQException

  Serializes the sequence starting from the current position to a String according to the XSLT 2.0 and XQuery 1.0 serialization. Serialization parameters, which influence how serialization is performed, can be specified. Refer to the XSLT 2.0 and XQuery 1.0 serialization and Section 12 Serialization, XQuery API for Java (XQJ) 1.0 for more information. Reading the sequence during the serialization process performs implicit next operations to read the items. After all items are written to the stream, the current position of the cursor is set to point after the last item. Also, in the case of forward only sequences, this method may only be called if the current item has not yet been read through any of the get or write methods.

  Parameters:
    `props` - specifies the serialization parameters, `null` is considered equivalent to an empty `Properties` object
  Returns:
    the serialized representation of the sequence
  Throws:
    `XQException` - if (1) there are errors accessing the items in the sequence, (2) there are errors during serialization, (3) the sequence is in a closed state, or (4) in the case of a forward only sequence, a get or write method has already been invoked on the current item

### isAfterLast

    boolean isAfterLast()
                        throws XQException

  Checks if the current position is after the last item in the sequence. Calling this method on an empty sequence will return `false`.

  Returns:
    `true` if the current position is after the last item, `false` otherwise
  Throws:
    `XQException` - if (1) the sequence is forward only, or (2) the sequence is in a closed state

### isBeforeFirst

    boolean isBeforeFirst()
                          throws XQException

  Checks if the current position before the first item in the sequence. Calling this method on an empty sequence will return `false`.

  Returns:
    `true` if the current position is before the first item, `false` otherwise
  Throws:
    `XQException` - if (1) the sequence is forward only, or (2) the sequence is in a closed state

### isFirst

    boolean isFirst()
                    throws XQException

  Checks if the current position at the first item in the sequence. Calling this method on an empty sequence will return `false`.

  Returns:
    `true` if the current position is at the first item, `false` otherwise
  Throws:
    `XQException` - if (1) the sequence is forward only, or (2) the sequence is in a closed state

### isLast

    boolean isLast()
                   throws XQException

  Checks if the current position at the last item in the sequence. Calling this method on an empty sequence will return `false`.

  Returns:
    `true` if the current position is at the last item, `false` otherwise
  Throws:
    `XQException` - if (1) the sequence is forward only, or (2) the sequence is in a closed state

### last

    boolean last()
                 throws XQException

  Moves to the last item in the sequence. This method returns `true`, if it was able to move to the last item in the sequence `false`, otherwise. Calling this method on an empty sequence will return `false`.

  Returns:
    `true` if the sequence was positioned on the last item, `false` otherwise
  Throws:
    `XQException` - if (1) the sequence is forward only, or (2) the sequence is in a closed state

### next

    boolean next()
                 throws XQException

  Moves to the next item in the sequence. Calling this method on an empty sequence will return `false`.

  Returns:
    `true` if the new item is valid, `false` if there are no more items
  Throws:
    `XQException` - if the sequence is in a closed state

### previous

    boolean previous()
                     throws XQException

  Moves to the previous item in the sequence. Calling this method on an empty sequence will return `false`.

  Returns:
    `true` if the new current position is within the sequence, (i.e., not before first); `false` otherwise.
  Throws:
    `XQException` - if (1) the sequence is forward only, or (2) the sequence is in a closed state.

### relative

    boolean relative(int itempos)
                     throws XQException

  Moves the cursor a relative number of items, either positive or negative. Attempting to move beyond the first/last item in the sequence positions the sequence before/after the the first/last item. Calling `relative(0)` is valid, but does not change the cursor position.

  Note: Calling the method `relative(1)` is identical to calling the method `next` and calling the method `relative(-1)` is identical to calling the method `previous()`. Calling this method on an empty sequence will return `false`.

  Parameters:
    `itempos` - the item position to jump to
  Returns:
    `true` if the new current position is within the sequence (i.e., not before first or after last); `false` otherwise.
  Throws:
    `XQException` - if (1) the sequence is forward only, or (2) the sequence is in a closed state.

### writeSequence

    void writeSequence(OutputStream os,
                       Properties props)
                       throws XQException

  Serializes the sequence starting from the current position to an `OutputStream` according to the XSLT 2.0 and XQuery 1.0 serialization. Serialization parameters, which influence how serialization is performed, can be specified. Refer to the XSLT 2.0 and XQuery 1.0 serialization and Section 12 Serialization, XQuery API for Java (XQJ) 1.0 for more information. Reading the sequence during the serialization process performs implicit next operations to read the items. After all items are written to the stream, the current position of the cursor is set to point after the last item. Also, in the case of forward only sequences, this method may only be called if the current item has not yet been read through any of the get or write methods.

  Parameters:
    `os` - the output stream into which the sequence is to be serialized
    `props` - specifies the serialization parameters, `null` is considered equivalent to an empty `Properties` object
  Throws:
    `XQException` - if (1) there are errors accessing the items in the sequence, (2) there are errors during serialization, (3) the sequence is in a closed state, (4) in the case of a forward only sequence, a get or write method has already been invoked on the current item, or (5) the `os` parameter is `null`

### writeSequence

    void writeSequence(Writer ow,
                       Properties props)
                       throws XQException

  Serializes the sequence starting from the current position to a Writer according to the XSLT 2.0 and XQuery 1.0 serialization. Serialization parameters, which influence how serialization is performed, can be specified. Refer to the XSLT 2.0 and XQuery 1.0 serialization and Section 12 Serialization, XQuery API for Java (XQJ) 1.0 for more information.
  Warning: When outputting to a `Writer`, make sure the writer's encoding matches the encoding parameter if specified as a property or the default encoding.
  Reading the sequence during the serialization process performs implicit next operations to read the items. After all items are written to the stream, the current position of the cursor is set to point after the last item. Also, in the case of forward only sequences, this method may only be called if the current item has not yet been read through any of the get or write methods.

  Parameters:
    `ow` - the writer object into which the sequence is to be serialized
    `props` - specifies the serialization parameters, `null` is considered equivalent to an empty `Properties` object
  Throws:
    `XQException` - if (1) there are errors accessing the items in the sequence, (2) there are errors during serialization, (3) the sequence is in a closed state, (4) in the case of a forward only sequence, a get or write method has already been invoked on the current item, or (5) the `ow` parameter is `null`

### writeSequenceToSAX

    void writeSequenceToSAX(ContentHandler saxhdlr)
                            throws XQException

  Writes the entire sequence starting from the current position to a SAX handler, as described in Section 12.2 Serializing an XDM instance into a SAX event stream, XQuery API for Java (XQJ) 1.0. Note that the serialization process might fail, in which case a `XQException` is thrown. After all items are written to the stream, the current position of the cursor is set to point after the last item. Also, in the case of forward only sequences, this method may only be called if the current item has not yet been read through any of the get or write methods. The specified `org.xml.sax.ContentHandler` can optionally implement the `org.xml.sax.LexicalHandler` interface. An implementation must check if the specified `ContentHandler` implements `LexicalHandler`. If the handler is a `LexicalHandler` comment nodes are reported, otherwise they will be silently ignored.

  Parameters:
    `saxhdlr` - the SAX content handler, optionally a lexical handler
  Throws:
    `XQException` - if (1) there are errors accessing any of the items in the sequence, (2) the sequence is in a closed state, (3) in the case of a forward only sequence, a get or write method has already been invoked on the current item, (4) in case of an error during serializing the XDM instance into a SAX event stream, or (5) the `saxhdlr` parameter is `null`

### writeSequenceToResult

    void writeSequenceToResult(Result result)
                               throws XQException

  Writes the entire sequence starting from the current position to a `Result`. First the sequence is normalized as described in XSLT 2.0 and XQuery 1.0 serialization. Subsequently it is serialized to the `Result` object.
  Note that the normalization process can fail, in which case an `XQException` is thrown. An XQJ implementation must at least support the following implementations:
  - `javax.xml.transform.dom.DOMResult`
  - `javax.xml.transform.sax.SAXResult`
  - `javax.xml.transform.stream.StreamResult`

  Parameters:
    `result` - the result object into which the sequence is to be serialized
  Throws:
    `XQException` - if (1) there are errors accessing any of the items in the sequence, (2) the sequence is in a closed state, (3) in the case of a forward only sequence, a get or write method has already been invoked on the current item, (4) in case of an error while serializing the sequence into the `Result` object, or (5) the `result` parameter is `null`

Copyright (c) 2004-2010 Saxonica Limited. All rights reserved.