/**
 * Base class for Value Objects - immutable objects defined by their property values.
 *
 * Value Objects encapsulate domain concepts that have no distinct identity.
 * Two Value Objects are equal when all their properties are equal.
 *
 * @see /docs/value-object.md for detailed documentation and examples
 *
 * @template T - The shape of properties that define this Value Object
 * @example
 * class Email extends ValueObject<{ address: string }> {
 *   private constructor(props: { address: string }) {
 *     super(props);
 *   }
 *
 *   public static create(address: string): Result<Email> {
 *     if (!address.includes('@')) {
 *       return Result.fail('Email must contain @ symbol');
 *     }
 *     return Result.success(new Email({ address }));
 *   }
 *
 *   get value(): string {
 *     return this.props.address;
 *   }
 * }
 */
export declare abstract class ValueObject<T extends object> {
    /**
     * The properties that define this Value Object.
     * These are protected to prevent direct modification from outside.
     */
    protected readonly props: Readonly<T>;
    /**
     * Creates a new Value Object with the given properties.
     * The properties are frozen to ensure immutability.
     */
    constructor(props: T);
    /**
     * Checks if this Value Object is equal to another Value Object.
     * Two Value Objects are considered equal if all their properties are equal.
     */
    equals(vo?: ValueObject<T> | null): boolean;
    /**
     * Deep comparison of properties.
     * This handles nested objects and arrays properly.
     */
    private isEqual;
    /**
     * Returns a string representation of this Value Object.
     */
    toString(): string;
    /**
     * Returns a shallow copy of the props.
     * This can be used when you need to access the raw data.
     */
    protected toObject(): T;
}