code: public static FilterTypeHint getTypeHint(String hint) {
          /* todo: this is static; consider providing on a concrete / overridable object */
          if(STRING.getHint().equals(hint))
              return STRING;
          else if(NUMERIC.getHint().equals(hint))
              return NUMERIC;
          else if(DATE.getHint().equals(hint))
              return DATE;
          else throw new IllegalArgumentException(Bundle.getErrorString("FilterTypeHint_UnknownHintString",
                                                                        new Object[] {hint}));
      }
docs: Given a String, lookup a FilterTypeHint for the String.  Valid
  @param hint the String to use when looking up a filter type hint
  @return the type hint
  @throws IllegalArgumentException if the given <code>hint</code> doesn't match a know type hint