16.31. Property Values

When it comes to using the property values, ModeShape takes a non-traditional approach. Many other graph models (including JCR) mark each property with a data type and then require all property values adhere to this data type. When the property values are obtained, they are guaranteed to be of the correct type. However, many times the property's data type may not match the data type expected by the caller, and so a conversion may be required and thus has to be coded.

The ModeShape graph model uses a different tact. Because callers almost always have to convert the values to the types they can handle, ModeShape skips the steps of associating the Property with a data type and ensuring the values match. Instead, ModeShape provides a very easy mechanism to convert the property values to the type desired by the caller. In fact, the conversion mechanism is exactly the same as the factories that create the values in the first place.