//Weight.h
//
//class interface for weighted links between nodes in neural networks
//
//The weighted links describe connections between nodes, and contain:
//  a pointer to the node that this node is connected to;
//  the weight of the connection; and,
//  the last change in the connection weight (useful in network training).
//
//Typically, this class will be used only by the Node class and its subclasses.
//
//
//Copyright 1998 Michael J. Wax
//You may use this code as is, or incorporate it in another program,
//as long as proper attribution is given.  However, I make no warranties,
//express or implied, regarding the performance of this code, its freedom from
//error, or its suitability for use in a given application.
//Questions or suggestions?  Contact me at neural@michaelwax.com
//

#ifndef WEIGHT_H
#define WEIGHT_H

template <class userType>
class Node;

template <class weightType>
class Weight {

  public:
    //-----------readers and writers-------------

    weightType readWeight ();
    void writeWeight (weightType value);

    weightType readWeightChange ();
    void writeWeightChange (weightType value);

    Node<weightType>* readNodePointer ();
    void writeNodePointer (Node<weightType> *node);

    //-----------randomization function-----------
    //sets weight to a random value of:
    //for integer types (bool, short, int): 0 or 1
    //for floating point types:  a value between 1 and -1
    void randomizeWeight();

  private:
    weightType weight;
    weightType lastWeightChange;
    Node<weightType> *nodePointer;
};

#endif