Finding the nearest common superclass (or superinterface) of a collection of classes

Question

Given a collection of classes, what\'s the best way to find the nearest common superclass?

E.g., given the following:

interface A {}
interface B {}
         


        

Answer 1

I am also facing this problem right now. I only need the answer on the superclass level. Basically I found it best to only do a O(n) walk through.

You have to define an operation Cmin(A, B) giving you the nearest superclass of class A and class B.

Since Cmin results in a class itself you can use this algorithm:

Result = Cmin Ai | (ai elementIn classes).

gives you O(n).

But remember Java makes a distinction in types being interfaces or classes.