/**
 *  A collection of two chars, in a non-mutable (non-changeable) way.
 *  This makes it concurrency-safe.
 */
public class SafeMonogram
{
    private char firstInitial, lastInitial;   // the chars themselves

    public SafeMonogram( char first, char last )   // how to create me
    {
	this.firstInitial = first;
	this.lastInitial = last;
    }

    /**
     *  How to get my chars out.
     *  Note, creates a new array each time, so changing the array
     *  doesn't change the SafeMonogram (me).
     */
    public char[] getChars()                
    {
	char[] chars = new char[2];
	chars[0] = this.firstInitial;
	chars[1] = this.lastInitial;
	return chars;
    }
}