Codec

All Known Implementing Classes:

PostgisCodec
```
@Alpha
public interface Codec<T>
```
A Codec provides a convenient way for a bidirectional mapping of an attribute to a database column.
Groups a ColumnMapper and an Argument mapping function for a given type.
Alpha: this interface is still evolving! It might eventually replace the existing Mappers and Arguments.

Method Summary

All Methods Instance Methods Default Methods
Modifier and Type	Method	Description
`default java.util.function.Function<T,Argument>`	`getArgumentFunction()`	Returns a `Function` that creates an `Argument` to map an attribute value onto the database column.
`default java.util.function.Function<T,Argument>`	`getArgumentFunction(ConfigRegistry configRegistry)`	Returns a `Function` that creates an `Argument` to map an attribute value onto the database column.
`default ColumnMapper<T>`	`getColumnMapper()`	Returns a `ColumnMapper` that creates an attribute value from a database column.
`default ColumnMapper<T>`	`getColumnMapper(ConfigRegistry configRegistry)`	Returns a `ColumnMapper` that creates an attribute value from a database column.

- Method Detail
  - getColumnMapper
```
default ColumnMapper<T> getColumnMapper()
```
    Returns a ColumnMapper that creates an attribute value from a database column.
    Either this method or getColumnMapper(ConfigRegistry) must be implemented.
  - getColumnMapper
```
default ColumnMapper<T> getColumnMapper(ConfigRegistry configRegistry)
```
    Returns a ColumnMapper that creates an attribute value from a database column.
    This method is optional. If it is not implemented, the result of getColumnMapper() is returned.
    
    Parameters:
    
    configRegistry - The ConfigRegistry that this argument belongs to.
  - getArgumentFunction
```
default java.util.function.Function<T,Argument> getArgumentFunction()
```
    Returns a Function that creates an Argument to map an attribute value onto the database column.
    Either this method or getArgumentFunction(ConfigRegistry) must be implemented.
  - getArgumentFunction
```
default java.util.function.Function<T,Argument> getArgumentFunction(ConfigRegistry configRegistry)
```
    Returns a Function that creates an Argument to map an attribute value onto the database column.
    This method is optional. If it is not implemented, the result of getArgumentFunction() is returned.
    
    Parameters:
    
    configRegistry - The ConfigRegistry that this argument belongs to.