/**
 * A word, one or more of which make up lines. Smallest unit in KWIC.
 * 
 * Secret: what exactly a word is.
 * 
 * @author Alexander Schaap
 * 
 * @param <T>
 *          - type parameter, conventionally String
 */
public interface WordInterface<T> {
  /**
   * Compare this word to another word of the same type
   * 
   * @param w
   * @return
   */
  public int compareTo(WordInterface<T> w);

  /**
   * return this word, primarily for comparison purposes
   * 
   * @return
   */
  public T word();

  /**
   * Convert this word to String for display purposes
   * 
   * @return
   */
  public String toString();

}