public boolean equals(Object obj) {
	if (this == obj)
	    return true;
	if (obj == null)
	    return false;
	if (getClass() != obj.getClass())
	    return false;
	Tuple other = (Tuple) obj;
	if (element == null) {
	    if (other.element != null)
		return false;
	} else if (!Arrays.equals(element, other.element))
	    return false;
	return true;
    }