if (Integer.signum(compare) != Integer.signum(comparePrev)) {
// Throw an exception if the order of the two signatures is not consistent,
// E.g., 111, 222, 333 in one occassion and 222, 333, 111 in the other.
if (Integer.signum(compare) != Integer.signum(comparePrev)) {
// Throw an exception if the order of the two signatures is not consistent,
// E.g., 111, 222, 333 in one occassion and 222, 333, 111 in the other.