* changes to it will <i>not</i> be reflected in this {@code HashCode} object or any other arrays
   * returned by this method.
   */
  // TODO(user): consider ByteString here, when that is available
  public abstract byte[] asBytes();

  /**
   * Copies bytes from this hash code into {@code dest}.
   *
   * @param dest the byte array into which the hash code will be written

   * changes to it will <i>not</i> be reflected in this {@code HashCode} object or any other arrays
   * returned by this method.
   */
  // TODO(user): consider ByteString here, when that is available
  public abstract byte[] asBytes();

  /**
   * Copies bytes from this hash code into {@code dest}.
   *
   * @param dest the byte array into which the hash code will be written

the core type of <code>T</code> is called <code>bytestring</code>.
</p>

<p>
Examples of interfaces with <code>bytestring</code> core types:
</p>

<pre>
interface{ int }                          // int (same as ordinary core type)
interface{ []byte | string }              // bytestring
interface{ ~[]byte | myString }           // bytestring
</pre>

<p>