* @return A metadata object for the identifiers, or {@code null}
*/
final <T> T resolve(final Context context, final Class<T> type, T metadata) {
if (metadata == null) {
final ReferenceResolver resolver = Context.resolver(context);
if ((uuid == null || (metadata = resolver.resolve(context, type, uuid )) == null) &&
(xlink == null || (metadata = resolver.resolve(context, type, xlink)) == null))
{
// Failed to find an existing metadata instance.
// Creates an empty instance with the identifiers.
int count = 0;