+ abstract void verifyStructure(NormalizedNode<?, ?> modification, boolean verifyChildren)
+ throws IllegalArgumentException;
+
+ /**
+ * Return the tracking policy for this node's children.
+ *
+ * @return Tracking policy, may not be null.
+ */
+ abstract ChildTrackingPolicy getChildPolicy();
+
+ /**
+ * Stage a merge operation into a {@link ModifiedNode} such that it will be processed correctly by
+ * {@link #apply(ModifiedNode, Optional, Version)}. This method is the context which is introducing this operation,
+ * and so any overheads are charged to whoever is in control of the access pattern.
+ *
+ * @param modification Original modification node
+ * @param value Value which should be merge into the modification
+ * @param version Data version as carried in the containing {@link InMemoryDataTreeModification}
+ */
+ abstract void mergeIntoModifiedNode(ModifiedNode modification, NormalizedNode<?, ?> value, Version version);