+ return compareString(label1, label2);
+ }
+
+ /**
+ * Non-case-sensitive comparison of annotation descriptions. Returns zero if
+ * either argument is null.
+ *
+ * @param o1
+ * @param o2
+ * @return
+ */
+ private int compareDescriptions(AlignmentAnnotation o1,
+ AlignmentAnnotation o2)
+ {
+ if (o1 == null || o2 == null)
+ {
+ return 0;
+ }
+ String label1 = o1.description;
+ String label2 = o2.description;
+ return compareString(label1, label2);
+ }
+
+ private int compareString(String label1, String label2)
+ {