code: public static void validateLesserThan( long value, long limit, String identifier )
          throws PreConditionException
      {
          if( value < limit )
          {
              return;
          }
          throw new PreConditionException( identifier + " was not lesser than " + limit + ". Was: " + value );
      }
docs: Validates that the value is lesser than a limit.
  <p/>
  This method ensures that <code>value < limit</code>.
  
  @param identifier The name of the object.
  @param limit      The limit that the value must be smaller than.
  @param value      The value to be tested.
  
  @throws PreConditionException if the condition is not met.