diff --git a/spring-aop/src/main/java/org/springframework/aop/aspectj/annotation/AspectJProxyFactory.java b/spring-aop/src/main/java/org/springframework/aop/aspectj/annotation/AspectJProxyFactory.java
index c174cee97f3..8a07540043c 100644
--- a/spring-aop/src/main/java/org/springframework/aop/aspectj/annotation/AspectJProxyFactory.java
+++ b/spring-aop/src/main/java/org/springframework/aop/aspectj/annotation/AspectJProxyFactory.java
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright 2002-2012 the original author or authors.
+ * Copyright 2002-2015 the original author or authors.
  *
  * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
  * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ import org.springframework.aop.aspectj.AspectJProxyUtils;
 import org.springframework.aop.framework.AopConfigException;
 import org.springframework.aop.framework.ProxyCreatorSupport;
 import org.springframework.aop.support.AopUtils;
-import org.springframework.core.OrderComparator;
+import org.springframework.core.annotation.AnnotationAwareOrderComparator;
 import org.springframework.util.Assert;
 import org.springframework.util.ClassUtils;
 
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ public class AspectJProxyFactory extends ProxyCreatorSupport {
 		List<Advisor> advisors = this.aspectFactory.getAdvisors(instanceFactory);
 		advisors = AopUtils.findAdvisorsThatCanApply(advisors, getTargetClass());
 		AspectJProxyUtils.makeAdvisorChainAspectJCapableIfNecessary(advisors);
-		OrderComparator.sort(advisors);
+		AnnotationAwareOrderComparator.sort(advisors);
 		addAdvisors(advisors);
 	}
 
diff --git a/spring-aop/src/main/java/org/springframework/aop/aspectj/autoproxy/AspectJPrecedenceComparator.java b/spring-aop/src/main/java/org/springframework/aop/aspectj/autoproxy/AspectJPrecedenceComparator.java
index 8177fc9828e..757c7369cf8 100644
--- a/spring-aop/src/main/java/org/springframework/aop/aspectj/autoproxy/AspectJPrecedenceComparator.java
+++ b/spring-aop/src/main/java/org/springframework/aop/aspectj/autoproxy/AspectJPrecedenceComparator.java
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright 2002-2014 the original author or authors.
+ * Copyright 2002-2015 the original author or authors.
  *
  * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
  * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ import java.util.Comparator;
 import org.springframework.aop.Advisor;
 import org.springframework.aop.aspectj.AspectJAopUtils;
 import org.springframework.aop.aspectj.AspectJPrecedenceInformation;
-import org.springframework.core.OrderComparator;
+import org.springframework.core.annotation.AnnotationAwareOrderComparator;
 import org.springframework.util.Assert;
 
 /**
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ class AspectJPrecedenceComparator implements Comparator<Advisor> {
 	 * Create a default AspectJPrecedenceComparator.
 	 */
 	public AspectJPrecedenceComparator() {
-		this.advisorComparator = OrderComparator.INSTANCE;
+		this.advisorComparator = AnnotationAwareOrderComparator.INSTANCE;
 	}
 
 	/**
diff --git a/spring-aop/src/main/java/org/springframework/aop/framework/ProxyFactoryBean.java b/spring-aop/src/main/java/org/springframework/aop/framework/ProxyFactoryBean.java
index f2ee140234c..d24c5259094 100644
--- a/spring-aop/src/main/java/org/springframework/aop/framework/ProxyFactoryBean.java
+++ b/spring-aop/src/main/java/org/springframework/aop/framework/ProxyFactoryBean.java
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright 2002-2014 the original author or authors.
+ * Copyright 2002-2015 the original author or authors.
  *
  * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
  * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ import org.springframework.beans.factory.BeanFactoryUtils;
 import org.springframework.beans.factory.FactoryBean;
 import org.springframework.beans.factory.FactoryBeanNotInitializedException;
 import org.springframework.beans.factory.ListableBeanFactory;
-import org.springframework.core.OrderComparator;
+import org.springframework.core.annotation.AnnotationAwareOrderComparator;
 import org.springframework.util.ClassUtils;
 import org.springframework.util.ObjectUtils;
 
@@ -525,7 +525,7 @@ public class ProxyFactoryBean extends ProxyCreatorSupport
 			beans.add(bean);
 			names.put(bean, name);
 		}
-		OrderComparator.sort(beans);
+		AnnotationAwareOrderComparator.sort(beans);
 		for (Object bean : beans) {
 			String name = names.get(bean);
 			if (name.startsWith(prefix)) {
diff --git a/spring-aop/src/main/java/org/springframework/aop/framework/autoproxy/AbstractAdvisorAutoProxyCreator.java b/spring-aop/src/main/java/org/springframework/aop/framework/autoproxy/AbstractAdvisorAutoProxyCreator.java
index 9aa9fe0d508..92fc174bea6 100644
--- a/spring-aop/src/main/java/org/springframework/aop/framework/autoproxy/AbstractAdvisorAutoProxyCreator.java
+++ b/spring-aop/src/main/java/org/springframework/aop/framework/autoproxy/AbstractAdvisorAutoProxyCreator.java
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright 2002-2012 the original author or authors.
+ * Copyright 2002-2015 the original author or authors.
  *
  * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
  * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ import org.springframework.aop.TargetSource;
 import org.springframework.aop.support.AopUtils;
 import org.springframework.beans.factory.BeanFactory;
 import org.springframework.beans.factory.config.ConfigurableListableBeanFactory;
-import org.springframework.core.OrderComparator;
+import org.springframework.core.annotation.AnnotationAwareOrderComparator;
 
 /**
  * Generic auto proxy creator that builds AOP proxies for specific beans
@@ -138,10 +138,11 @@ public abstract class AbstractAdvisorAutoProxyCreator extends AbstractAutoProxyC
 	 * @param advisors the source List of Advisors
 	 * @return the sorted List of Advisors
 	 * @see org.springframework.core.Ordered
-	 * @see org.springframework.core.OrderComparator
+	 * @see org.springframework.core.annotation.Order
+	 * @see org.springframework.core.annotation.AnnotationAwareOrderComparator
 	 */
 	protected List<Advisor> sortAdvisors(List<Advisor> advisors) {
-		OrderComparator.sort(advisors);
+		AnnotationAwareOrderComparator.sort(advisors);
 		return advisors;
 	}
 
diff --git a/spring-context/src/main/java/org/springframework/context/support/PostProcessorRegistrationDelegate.java b/spring-context/src/main/java/org/springframework/context/support/PostProcessorRegistrationDelegate.java
index a18770df3e3..8dfcdf0e051 100644
--- a/spring-context/src/main/java/org/springframework/context/support/PostProcessorRegistrationDelegate.java
+++ b/spring-context/src/main/java/org/springframework/context/support/PostProcessorRegistrationDelegate.java
@@ -18,6 +18,8 @@ package org.springframework.context.support;
 
 import java.util.ArrayList;
 import java.util.Collection;
+import java.util.Collections;
+import java.util.Comparator;
 import java.util.HashSet;
 import java.util.LinkedList;
 import java.util.List;
@@ -35,6 +37,7 @@ import org.springframework.beans.factory.config.ConfigurableListableBeanFactory;
 import org.springframework.beans.factory.config.DestructionAwareBeanPostProcessor;
 import org.springframework.beans.factory.support.BeanDefinitionRegistry;
 import org.springframework.beans.factory.support.BeanDefinitionRegistryPostProcessor;
+import org.springframework.beans.factory.support.DefaultListableBeanFactory;
 import org.springframework.beans.factory.support.MergedBeanDefinitionPostProcessor;
 import org.springframework.beans.factory.support.RootBeanDefinition;
 import org.springframework.context.ApplicationListener;
@@ -90,7 +93,7 @@ class PostProcessorRegistrationDelegate {
 					processedBeans.add(ppName);
 				}
 			}
-			OrderComparator.sort(priorityOrderedPostProcessors);
+			sortPostProcessors(beanFactory, priorityOrderedPostProcessors);
 			registryPostProcessors.addAll(priorityOrderedPostProcessors);
 			invokeBeanDefinitionRegistryPostProcessors(priorityOrderedPostProcessors, registry);
 
@@ -103,7 +106,7 @@ class PostProcessorRegistrationDelegate {
 					processedBeans.add(ppName);
 				}
 			}
-			OrderComparator.sort(orderedPostProcessors);
+			sortPostProcessors(beanFactory, orderedPostProcessors);
 			registryPostProcessors.addAll(orderedPostProcessors);
 			invokeBeanDefinitionRegistryPostProcessors(orderedPostProcessors, registry);
 
@@ -159,7 +162,7 @@ class PostProcessorRegistrationDelegate {
 		}
 
 		// First, invoke the BeanFactoryPostProcessors that implement PriorityOrdered.
-		OrderComparator.sort(priorityOrderedPostProcessors);
+		sortPostProcessors(beanFactory, priorityOrderedPostProcessors);
 		invokeBeanFactoryPostProcessors(priorityOrderedPostProcessors, beanFactory);
 
 		// Next, invoke the BeanFactoryPostProcessors that implement Ordered.
@@ -167,7 +170,7 @@ class PostProcessorRegistrationDelegate {
 		for (String postProcessorName : orderedPostProcessorNames) {
 			orderedPostProcessors.add(beanFactory.getBean(postProcessorName, BeanFactoryPostProcessor.class));
 		}
-		OrderComparator.sort(orderedPostProcessors);
+		sortPostProcessors(beanFactory, orderedPostProcessors);
 		invokeBeanFactoryPostProcessors(orderedPostProcessors, beanFactory);
 
 		// Finally, invoke all other BeanFactoryPostProcessors.
@@ -212,7 +215,7 @@ class PostProcessorRegistrationDelegate {
 		}
 
 		// First, register the BeanPostProcessors that implement PriorityOrdered.
-		OrderComparator.sort(priorityOrderedPostProcessors);
+		sortPostProcessors(beanFactory, priorityOrderedPostProcessors);
 		registerBeanPostProcessors(beanFactory, priorityOrderedPostProcessors);
 
 		// Next, register the BeanPostProcessors that implement Ordered.
@@ -224,7 +227,7 @@ class PostProcessorRegistrationDelegate {
 				internalPostProcessors.add(pp);
 			}
 		}
-		OrderComparator.sort(orderedPostProcessors);
+		sortPostProcessors(beanFactory, orderedPostProcessors);
 		registerBeanPostProcessors(beanFactory, orderedPostProcessors);
 
 		// Now, register all regular BeanPostProcessors.
@@ -239,12 +242,23 @@ class PostProcessorRegistrationDelegate {
 		registerBeanPostProcessors(beanFactory, nonOrderedPostProcessors);
 
 		// Finally, re-register all internal BeanPostProcessors.
-		OrderComparator.sort(internalPostProcessors);
+		sortPostProcessors(beanFactory, internalPostProcessors);
 		registerBeanPostProcessors(beanFactory, internalPostProcessors);
 
 		beanFactory.addBeanPostProcessor(new ApplicationListenerDetector(applicationContext));
 	}
 
+	private static void sortPostProcessors(ConfigurableListableBeanFactory beanFactory, List<?> postProcessors) {
+		Comparator<Object> comparatorToUse = null;
+		if (beanFactory instanceof DefaultListableBeanFactory) {
+			comparatorToUse = ((DefaultListableBeanFactory) beanFactory).getDependencyComparator();
+		}
+		if (comparatorToUse == null) {
+			comparatorToUse = OrderComparator.INSTANCE;
+		}
+		Collections.sort(postProcessors, comparatorToUse);
+	}
+
 	/**
 	 * Invoke the given BeanDefinitionRegistryPostProcessor beans.
 	 */
diff --git a/spring-tx/src/main/java/org/springframework/transaction/support/TransactionSynchronizationManager.java b/spring-tx/src/main/java/org/springframework/transaction/support/TransactionSynchronizationManager.java
index 9c978dd6903..2f3cc69bfaa 100644
--- a/spring-tx/src/main/java/org/springframework/transaction/support/TransactionSynchronizationManager.java
+++ b/spring-tx/src/main/java/org/springframework/transaction/support/TransactionSynchronizationManager.java
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright 2002-2014 the original author or authors.
+ * Copyright 2002-2015 the original author or authors.
  *
  * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
  * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ import org.apache.commons.logging.Log;
 import org.apache.commons.logging.LogFactory;
 
 import org.springframework.core.NamedThreadLocal;
-import org.springframework.core.OrderComparator;
+import org.springframework.core.annotation.AnnotationAwareOrderComparator;
 import org.springframework.util.Assert;
 
 /**
@@ -314,7 +314,7 @@ public abstract class TransactionSynchronizationManager {
 		else {
 			// Sort lazily here, not in registerSynchronization.
 			List<TransactionSynchronization> sortedSynchs = new ArrayList<TransactionSynchronization>(synchs);
-			OrderComparator.sort(sortedSynchs);
+			AnnotationAwareOrderComparator.sort(sortedSynchs);
 			return Collections.unmodifiableList(sortedSynchs);
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/spring-webmvc-portlet/src/main/java/org/springframework/web/portlet/DispatcherPortlet.java b/spring-webmvc-portlet/src/main/java/org/springframework/web/portlet/DispatcherPortlet.java
index 844f1cfd3e4..9c5add7fc6d 100644
--- a/spring-webmvc-portlet/src/main/java/org/springframework/web/portlet/DispatcherPortlet.java
+++ b/spring-webmvc-portlet/src/main/java/org/springframework/web/portlet/DispatcherPortlet.java
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright 2002-2013 the original author or authors.
+ * Copyright 2002-2015 the original author or authors.
  *
  * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
  * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ import org.springframework.beans.factory.BeanFactoryUtils;
 import org.springframework.beans.factory.BeanInitializationException;
 import org.springframework.beans.factory.NoSuchBeanDefinitionException;
 import org.springframework.context.ApplicationContext;
-import org.springframework.core.OrderComparator;
+import org.springframework.core.annotation.AnnotationAwareOrderComparator;
 import org.springframework.core.io.ClassPathResource;
 import org.springframework.core.io.support.PropertiesLoaderUtils;
 import org.springframework.core.style.StylerUtils;
@@ -66,9 +66,8 @@ import org.springframework.web.servlet.ViewResolver;
  * controllers. Dispatches to registered handlers for processing a portlet request.
  *
  * <p>This portlet is very flexible: It can be used with just about any workflow,
- * with the installation of the appropriate adapter classes. It offers the
- * following functionality that distinguishes it from other request-driven
- * portlet MVC frameworks:
+ * with the installation of the appropriate adapter classes. It offers the following
+ * functionality that distinguishes it from other request-driven Portlet MVC frameworks:
  *
  * <ul>
  * <li>It is based around a JavaBeans configuration mechanism.
@@ -77,8 +76,8 @@ import org.springframework.web.servlet.ViewResolver;
  * as part of an application - to control the routing of requests to handler objects.
  * Default is a {@link org.springframework.web.portlet.mvc.annotation.DefaultAnnotationHandlerMapping}.
  * HandlerMapping objects can be defined as beans in the portlet's application context,
- * implementing the HandlerMapping interface, overriding the default HandlerMapping if present.
- * HandlerMappings can be given any bean name (they are tested by type).
+ * implementing the HandlerMapping interface, overriding the default HandlerMapping
+ * if present. HandlerMappings can be given any bean name (they are tested by type).
  *
  * <li>It can use any {@link HandlerAdapter}; this allows for using any handler interface.
  * The default adapter is {@link org.springframework.web.portlet.mvc.SimpleControllerHandlerAdapter}
@@ -102,27 +101,24 @@ import org.springframework.web.servlet.ViewResolver;
  * (they are tested by type).
  *
  * <li>The dispatcher's strategy for resolving multipart requests is determined by a
- * {@link org.springframework.web.portlet.multipart.PortletMultipartResolver} implementation.
- * An implementations for Jakarta Commons FileUpload is included:
+ * {@link org.springframework.web.portlet.multipart.PortletMultipartResolver}
+ * implementation. An implementations for Apache Commons FileUpload is included:
  * {@link org.springframework.web.portlet.multipart.CommonsPortletMultipartResolver}.
  * The MultipartResolver bean name is "portletMultipartResolver"; default is none.
  * </ul>
  *
- * <p><b>NOTE: The {@code @RequestMapping} annotation will only be processed
- * if a corresponding {@code HandlerMapping} (for type level annotations)
- * and/or {@code HandlerAdapter} (for method level annotations)
- * is present in the dispatcher.</b> This is the case by default.
- * However, if you are defining custom {@code HandlerMappings} or
- * {@code HandlerAdapters}, then you need to make sure that a
- * corresponding custom {@code DefaultAnnotationHandlerMapping}
- * and/or {@code AnnotationMethodHandlerAdapter} is defined as well
- * - provided that you intend to use {@code @RequestMapping}.
+ * <p><b>NOTE: The {@code @RequestMapping} annotation will only be processed if a
+ * corresponding {@code HandlerMapping} (for type-level annotations) and/or
+ * {@code HandlerAdapter} (for method-level annotations) is present in the dispatcher.</b>
+ * This is the case by default. However, if you are defining custom {@code HandlerMappings}
+ * or {@code HandlerAdapters}, then you need to make sure that a corresponding custom
+ * {@code DefaultAnnotationHandlerMapping} and/or {@code AnnotationMethodHandlerAdapter}
+ * is defined as well - provided that you intend to use {@code @RequestMapping}.
  *
  * <p><b>A web application can define any number of DispatcherPortlets.</b>
- * Each portlet will operate in its own namespace, loading its own application
- * context with mappings, handlers, etc. Only the root application context
- * as loaded by {@link org.springframework.web.context.ContextLoaderListener},
- * if any, will be shared.
+ * Each portlet will operate in its own namespace, loading its own application context
+ * with mappings, handlers, etc. Only the root application context as loaded by
+ * {@link org.springframework.web.context.ContextLoaderListener}, if any, will be shared.
  *
  * <p>Thanks to Rainer Schmitz, Nick Lothian and Eric Dalquist for their suggestions!
  *
@@ -401,7 +397,7 @@ public class DispatcherPortlet extends FrameworkPortlet {
 			if (!matchingBeans.isEmpty()) {
 				this.handlerMappings = new ArrayList<HandlerMapping>(matchingBeans.values());
 				// We keep HandlerMappings in sorted order.
-				OrderComparator.sort(this.handlerMappings);
+				AnnotationAwareOrderComparator.sort(this.handlerMappings);
 			}
 		}
 		else {
@@ -439,7 +435,7 @@ public class DispatcherPortlet extends FrameworkPortlet {
 			if (!matchingBeans.isEmpty()) {
 				this.handlerAdapters = new ArrayList<HandlerAdapter>(matchingBeans.values());
 				// We keep HandlerAdapters in sorted order.
-				OrderComparator.sort(this.handlerAdapters);
+				AnnotationAwareOrderComparator.sort(this.handlerAdapters);
 			}
 		}
 		else {
@@ -477,7 +473,7 @@ public class DispatcherPortlet extends FrameworkPortlet {
 			if (!matchingBeans.isEmpty()) {
 				this.handlerExceptionResolvers = new ArrayList<HandlerExceptionResolver>(matchingBeans.values());
 				// We keep HandlerExceptionResolvers in sorted order.
-				OrderComparator.sort(this.handlerExceptionResolvers);
+				AnnotationAwareOrderComparator.sort(this.handlerExceptionResolvers);
 			}
 		}
 		else {
@@ -516,7 +512,7 @@ public class DispatcherPortlet extends FrameworkPortlet {
 			if (!matchingBeans.isEmpty()) {
 				this.viewResolvers = new ArrayList<ViewResolver>(matchingBeans.values());
 				// We keep ViewResolvers in sorted order.
-				OrderComparator.sort(this.viewResolvers);
+				AnnotationAwareOrderComparator.sort(this.viewResolvers);
 			}
 		}
 		else {
diff --git a/spring-webmvc/src/main/java/org/springframework/web/servlet/DispatcherServlet.java b/spring-webmvc/src/main/java/org/springframework/web/servlet/DispatcherServlet.java
index b6190911f23..4dbb9450fe3 100644
--- a/spring-webmvc/src/main/java/org/springframework/web/servlet/DispatcherServlet.java
+++ b/spring-webmvc/src/main/java/org/springframework/web/servlet/DispatcherServlet.java
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright 2002-2014 the original author or authors.
+ * Copyright 2002-2015 the original author or authors.
  *
  * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
  * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ import org.springframework.beans.factory.NoSuchBeanDefinitionException;
 import org.springframework.context.ApplicationContext;
 import org.springframework.context.ConfigurableApplicationContext;
 import org.springframework.context.i18n.LocaleContext;
-import org.springframework.core.OrderComparator;
+import org.springframework.core.annotation.AnnotationAwareOrderComparator;
 import org.springframework.core.io.ClassPathResource;
 import org.springframework.core.io.support.PropertiesLoaderUtils;
 import org.springframework.http.server.ServletServerHttpRequest;
@@ -60,73 +60,89 @@ import org.springframework.web.util.NestedServletException;
 import org.springframework.web.util.WebUtils;
 
 /**
- * Central dispatcher for HTTP request handlers/controllers, e.g. for web UI controllers or HTTP-based remote service
- * exporters. Dispatches to registered handlers for processing a web request, providing convenient mapping and exception
- * handling facilities.
+ * Central dispatcher for HTTP request handlers/controllers, e.g. for web UI controllers
+ * or HTTP-based remote service exporters. Dispatches to registered handlers for processing
+ * a web request, providing convenient mapping and exception handling facilities.
  *
- * <p>This servlet is very flexible: It can be used with just about any workflow, with the installation of the
- * appropriate adapter classes. It offers the following functionality that distinguishes it from other request-driven
- * web MVC frameworks:
+ * <p>This servlet is very flexible: It can be used with just about any workflow, with the
+ * installation of the appropriate adapter classes. It offers the following functionality
+ * that distinguishes it from other request-driven web MVC frameworks:
  *
- * <ul> <li>It is based around a JavaBeans configuration mechanism.
+ * <ul>
+ * <li>It is based around a JavaBeans configuration mechanism.
  *
- * <li>It can use any {@link HandlerMapping} implementation - pre-built or provided as part of an application - to
- * control the routing of requests to handler objects. Default is {@link org.springframework.web.servlet.handler.BeanNameUrlHandlerMapping}
- * and {@link org.springframework.web.servlet.mvc.annotation.DefaultAnnotationHandlerMapping}. HandlerMapping objects
- * can be defined as beans in the servlet's application context, implementing the HandlerMapping interface, overriding
- * the default HandlerMapping if present. HandlerMappings can be given any bean name (they are tested by type).
+ * <li>It can use any {@link HandlerMapping} implementation - pre-built or provided as part
+ * of an application - to control the routing of requests to handler objects. Default is
+ * {@link org.springframework.web.servlet.handler.BeanNameUrlHandlerMapping} and
+ * {@link org.springframework.web.servlet.mvc.annotation.DefaultAnnotationHandlerMapping}.
+ * HandlerMapping objects can be defined as beans in the servlet's application context,
+ * implementing the HandlerMapping interface, overriding the default HandlerMapping if
+ * present. HandlerMappings can be given any bean name (they are tested by type).
  *
- * <li>It can use any {@link HandlerAdapter}; this allows for using any handler interface. Default adapters are {@link
- * org.springframework.web.servlet.mvc.HttpRequestHandlerAdapter}, {@link org.springframework.web.servlet.mvc.SimpleControllerHandlerAdapter},
- * for Spring's {@link org.springframework.web.HttpRequestHandler} and {@link org.springframework.web.servlet.mvc.Controller}
- * interfaces, respectively. A default {@link org.springframework.web.servlet.mvc.annotation.AnnotationMethodHandlerAdapter}
- * will be registered as well. HandlerAdapter objects can be added as beans in the application context, overriding the
- * default HandlerAdapters. Like HandlerMappings, HandlerAdapters can be given any bean name (they are tested by type).
+ * <li>It can use any {@link HandlerAdapter}; this allows for using any handler interface.
+ * Default adapters are {@link org.springframework.web.servlet.mvc.HttpRequestHandlerAdapter},
+ * {@link org.springframework.web.servlet.mvc.SimpleControllerHandlerAdapter}, for Spring's
+ * {@link org.springframework.web.HttpRequestHandler} and
+ * {@link org.springframework.web.servlet.mvc.Controller} interfaces, respectively. A default
+ * {@link org.springframework.web.servlet.mvc.annotation.AnnotationMethodHandlerAdapter}
+ * will be registered as well. HandlerAdapter objects can be added as beans in the
+ * application context, overriding the default HandlerAdapters. Like HandlerMappings,
+ * HandlerAdapters can be given any bean name (they are tested by type).
  *
- * <li>The dispatcher's exception resolution strategy can be specified via a {@link HandlerExceptionResolver}, for
- * example mapping certain exceptions to error pages. Default are
+ * <li>The dispatcher's exception resolution strategy can be specified via a
+ * {@link HandlerExceptionResolver}, for example mapping certain exceptions to error pages.
+ * Default are
  * {@link org.springframework.web.servlet.mvc.annotation.AnnotationMethodHandlerExceptionResolver},
  * {@link org.springframework.web.servlet.mvc.annotation.ResponseStatusExceptionResolver}, and
- * {@link org.springframework.web.servlet.mvc.support.DefaultHandlerExceptionResolver}. These HandlerExceptionResolvers can be overridden
- * through the application context. HandlerExceptionResolver can be given any bean name (they are tested by type).
+ * {@link org.springframework.web.servlet.mvc.support.DefaultHandlerExceptionResolver}.
+ * These HandlerExceptionResolvers can be overridden through the application context.
+ * HandlerExceptionResolver can be given any bean name (they are tested by type).
  *
- * <li>Its view resolution strategy can be specified via a {@link ViewResolver} implementation, resolving symbolic view
- * names into View objects. Default is {@link org.springframework.web.servlet.view.InternalResourceViewResolver}.
- * ViewResolver objects can be added as beans in the application context, overriding the default ViewResolver.
- * ViewResolvers can be given any bean name (they are tested by type).
+ * <li>Its view resolution strategy can be specified via a {@link ViewResolver}
+ * implementation, resolving symbolic view names into View objects. Default is
+ * {@link org.springframework.web.servlet.view.InternalResourceViewResolver}.
+ * ViewResolver objects can be added as beans in the application context, overriding the
+ * default ViewResolver. ViewResolvers can be given any bean name (they are tested by type).
  *
- * <li>If a {@link View} or view name is not supplied by the user, then the configured {@link
- * RequestToViewNameTranslator} will translate the current request into a view name. The corresponding bean name is
- * "viewNameTranslator"; the default is {@link org.springframework.web.servlet.view.DefaultRequestToViewNameTranslator}.
+ * <li>If a {@link View} or view name is not supplied by the user, then the configured
+ * {@link RequestToViewNameTranslator} will translate the current request into a view name.
+ * The corresponding bean name is "viewNameTranslator"; the default is
+ * {@link org.springframework.web.servlet.view.DefaultRequestToViewNameTranslator}.
  *
- * <li>The dispatcher's strategy for resolving multipart requests is determined by a {@link
- * org.springframework.web.multipart.MultipartResolver} implementation. Implementations for Jakarta Commons FileUpload
- * and Jason Hunter's COS are included; the typical choise is {@link org.springframework.web.multipart.commons.CommonsMultipartResolver}.
+ * <li>The dispatcher's strategy for resolving multipart requests is determined by a
+ * {@link org.springframework.web.multipart.MultipartResolver} implementation.
+ * Implementations for Apache Commons FileUpload and Servlet 3 are included; the typical
+ * choice is {@link org.springframework.web.multipart.commons.CommonsMultipartResolver}.
  * The MultipartResolver bean name is "multipartResolver"; default is none.
  *
- * <li>Its locale resolution strategy is determined by a {@link LocaleResolver}. Out-of-the-box implementations work via
- * HTTP accept header, cookie, or session. The LocaleResolver bean name is "localeResolver"; default is {@link
- * org.springframework.web.servlet.i18n.AcceptHeaderLocaleResolver}.
+ * <li>Its locale resolution strategy is determined by a {@link LocaleResolver}.
+ * Out-of-the-box implementations work via HTTP accept header, cookie, or session.
+ * The LocaleResolver bean name is "localeResolver"; default is
+ * {@link org.springframework.web.servlet.i18n.AcceptHeaderLocaleResolver}.
  *
- * <li>Its theme resolution strategy is determined by a {@link ThemeResolver}. Implementations for a fixed theme and for
- * cookie and session storage are included. The ThemeResolver bean name is "themeResolver"; default is {@link
- * org.springframework.web.servlet.theme.FixedThemeResolver}. </ul>
+ * <li>Its theme resolution strategy is determined by a {@link ThemeResolver}.
+ * Implementations for a fixed theme and for cookie and session storage are included.
+ * The ThemeResolver bean name is "themeResolver"; default is
+ * {@link org.springframework.web.servlet.theme.FixedThemeResolver}.
+ * </ul>
  *
- * <p><b>NOTE: The {@code @RequestMapping} annotation will only be processed if a corresponding
- * {@code HandlerMapping} (for type level annotations) and/or {@code HandlerAdapter} (for method level
- * annotations) is present in the dispatcher.</b> This is the case by default. However, if you are defining custom
- * {@code HandlerMappings} or {@code HandlerAdapters}, then you need to make sure that a corresponding custom
- * {@code DefaultAnnotationHandlerMapping} and/or {@code AnnotationMethodHandlerAdapter} is defined as well -
- * provided that you intend to use {@code @RequestMapping}.
+ * <p><b>NOTE: The {@code @RequestMapping} annotation will only be processed if a
+ * corresponding {@code HandlerMapping} (for type-level annotations) and/or
+ * {@code HandlerAdapter} (for method-level annotations) is present in the dispatcher.</b>
+ * This is the case by default. However, if you are defining custom {@code HandlerMappings}
+ * or {@code HandlerAdapters}, then you need to make sure that a corresponding custom
+ * {@code DefaultAnnotationHandlerMapping} and/or {@code AnnotationMethodHandlerAdapter}
+ * is defined as well - provided that you intend to use {@code @RequestMapping}.
  *
- * <p><b>A web application can define any number of DispatcherServlets.</b> Each servlet will operate in its own
- * namespace, loading its own application context with mappings, handlers, etc. Only the root application context as
- * loaded by {@link org.springframework.web.context.ContextLoaderListener}, if any, will be shared.
+ * <p><b>A web application can define any number of DispatcherServlets.</b>
+ * Each servlet will operate in its own namespace, loading its own application context
+ * with mappings, handlers, etc. Only the root application context as loaded by
+ * {@link org.springframework.web.context.ContextLoaderListener}, if any, will be shared.
  *
  * <p>As of Spring 3.1, {@code DispatcherServlet} may now be injected with a web
  * application context, rather than creating its own internally. This is useful in Servlet
- * 3.0+ environments, which support programmatic registration of servlet instances. See
- * {@link #DispatcherServlet(WebApplicationContext)} Javadoc for details.
+ * 3.0+ environments, which support programmatic registration of servlet instances.
+ * See the {@link #DispatcherServlet(WebApplicationContext)} javadoc for details.
  *
  * @author Rod Johnson
  * @author Juergen Hoeller
@@ -553,7 +569,7 @@ public class DispatcherServlet extends FrameworkServlet {
 			if (!matchingBeans.isEmpty()) {
 				this.handlerMappings = new ArrayList<HandlerMapping>(matchingBeans.values());
 				// We keep HandlerMappings in sorted order.
-				OrderComparator.sort(this.handlerMappings);
+				AnnotationAwareOrderComparator.sort(this.handlerMappings);
 			}
 		}
 		else {
@@ -591,7 +607,7 @@ public class DispatcherServlet extends FrameworkServlet {
 			if (!matchingBeans.isEmpty()) {
 				this.handlerAdapters = new ArrayList<HandlerAdapter>(matchingBeans.values());
 				// We keep HandlerAdapters in sorted order.
-				OrderComparator.sort(this.handlerAdapters);
+				AnnotationAwareOrderComparator.sort(this.handlerAdapters);
 			}
 		}
 		else {
@@ -629,7 +645,7 @@ public class DispatcherServlet extends FrameworkServlet {
 			if (!matchingBeans.isEmpty()) {
 				this.handlerExceptionResolvers = new ArrayList<HandlerExceptionResolver>(matchingBeans.values());
 				// We keep HandlerExceptionResolvers in sorted order.
-				OrderComparator.sort(this.handlerExceptionResolvers);
+				AnnotationAwareOrderComparator.sort(this.handlerExceptionResolvers);
 			}
 		}
 		else {
@@ -691,7 +707,7 @@ public class DispatcherServlet extends FrameworkServlet {
 			if (!matchingBeans.isEmpty()) {
 				this.viewResolvers = new ArrayList<ViewResolver>(matchingBeans.values());
 				// We keep ViewResolvers in sorted order.
-				OrderComparator.sort(this.viewResolvers);
+				AnnotationAwareOrderComparator.sort(this.viewResolvers);
 			}
 		}
 		else {
diff --git a/spring-webmvc/src/main/java/org/springframework/web/servlet/mvc/method/annotation/ExceptionHandlerExceptionResolver.java b/spring-webmvc/src/main/java/org/springframework/web/servlet/mvc/method/annotation/ExceptionHandlerExceptionResolver.java
index 977d4f05f8b..470bd0113ea 100644
--- a/spring-webmvc/src/main/java/org/springframework/web/servlet/mvc/method/annotation/ExceptionHandlerExceptionResolver.java
+++ b/spring-webmvc/src/main/java/org/springframework/web/servlet/mvc/method/annotation/ExceptionHandlerExceptionResolver.java
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ import javax.xml.transform.Source;
 import org.springframework.beans.factory.InitializingBean;
 import org.springframework.context.ApplicationContext;
 import org.springframework.context.ApplicationContextAware;
-import org.springframework.core.OrderComparator;
+import org.springframework.core.annotation.AnnotationAwareOrderComparator;
 import org.springframework.http.converter.ByteArrayHttpMessageConverter;
 import org.springframework.http.converter.HttpMessageConverter;
 import org.springframework.http.converter.StringHttpMessageConverter;
@@ -258,7 +258,7 @@ public class ExceptionHandlerExceptionResolver extends AbstractHandlerMethodExce
 		}
 
 		List<ControllerAdviceBean> adviceBeans = ControllerAdviceBean.findAnnotatedBeans(getApplicationContext());
-		Collections.sort(adviceBeans, new OrderComparator());
+		AnnotationAwareOrderComparator.sort(adviceBeans);
 
 		for (ControllerAdviceBean adviceBean : adviceBeans) {
 			ExceptionHandlerMethodResolver resolver = new ExceptionHandlerMethodResolver(adviceBean.getBeanType());
diff --git a/spring-webmvc/src/main/java/org/springframework/web/servlet/mvc/method/annotation/RequestMappingHandlerAdapter.java b/spring-webmvc/src/main/java/org/springframework/web/servlet/mvc/method/annotation/RequestMappingHandlerAdapter.java
index cf7bca2108f..f53d0b3fbc9 100644
--- a/spring-webmvc/src/main/java/org/springframework/web/servlet/mvc/method/annotation/RequestMappingHandlerAdapter.java
+++ b/spring-webmvc/src/main/java/org/springframework/web/servlet/mvc/method/annotation/RequestMappingHandlerAdapter.java
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright 2002-2014 the original author or authors.
+ * Copyright 2002-2015 the original author or authors.
  *
  * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
  * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@ package org.springframework.web.servlet.mvc.method.annotation;
 
 import java.lang.reflect.Method;
 import java.util.ArrayList;
-import java.util.Collections;
 import java.util.LinkedHashMap;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Map;
@@ -36,8 +35,8 @@ import org.springframework.beans.factory.BeanFactoryAware;
 import org.springframework.beans.factory.InitializingBean;
 import org.springframework.beans.factory.config.ConfigurableBeanFactory;
 import org.springframework.core.DefaultParameterNameDiscoverer;
-import org.springframework.core.OrderComparator;
 import org.springframework.core.ParameterNameDiscoverer;
+import org.springframework.core.annotation.AnnotationAwareOrderComparator;
 import org.springframework.core.annotation.AnnotationUtils;
 import org.springframework.core.task.AsyncTaskExecutor;
 import org.springframework.core.task.SimpleAsyncTaskExecutor;
@@ -519,7 +518,7 @@ public class RequestMappingHandlerAdapter extends AbstractHandlerMethodAdapter
 		}
 
 		List<ControllerAdviceBean> beans = ControllerAdviceBean.findAnnotatedBeans(getApplicationContext());
-		Collections.sort(beans, new OrderComparator());
+		AnnotationAwareOrderComparator.sort(beans);
 
 		List<Object> responseBodyAdviceBeans = new ArrayList<Object>();
 
diff --git a/spring-webmvc/src/main/java/org/springframework/web/servlet/resource/ResourceUrlProvider.java b/spring-webmvc/src/main/java/org/springframework/web/servlet/resource/ResourceUrlProvider.java
index 9a3b1dea0fc..416a04e689a 100644
--- a/spring-webmvc/src/main/java/org/springframework/web/servlet/resource/ResourceUrlProvider.java
+++ b/spring-webmvc/src/main/java/org/springframework/web/servlet/resource/ResourceUrlProvider.java
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ import org.apache.commons.logging.LogFactory;
 import org.springframework.context.ApplicationContext;
 import org.springframework.context.ApplicationListener;
 import org.springframework.context.event.ContextRefreshedEvent;
-import org.springframework.core.OrderComparator;
+import org.springframework.core.annotation.AnnotationAwareOrderComparator;
 import org.springframework.util.AntPathMatcher;
 import org.springframework.util.PathMatcher;
 import org.springframework.web.servlet.handler.SimpleUrlHandlerMapping;
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ public class ResourceUrlProvider implements ApplicationListener<ContextRefreshed
 
 		Map<String, SimpleUrlHandlerMapping> map = appContext.getBeansOfType(SimpleUrlHandlerMapping.class);
 		List<SimpleUrlHandlerMapping> handlerMappings = new ArrayList<SimpleUrlHandlerMapping>(map.values());
-		Collections.sort(handlerMappings, new OrderComparator());
+		AnnotationAwareOrderComparator.sort(handlerMappings);
 
 		for (SimpleUrlHandlerMapping hm : handlerMappings) {
 			for (String pattern : hm.getHandlerMap().keySet()) {
diff --git a/spring-webmvc/src/main/java/org/springframework/web/servlet/view/ContentNegotiatingViewResolver.java b/spring-webmvc/src/main/java/org/springframework/web/servlet/view/ContentNegotiatingViewResolver.java
index 7f7b9d8fa11..3281a1c8c94 100644
--- a/spring-webmvc/src/main/java/org/springframework/web/servlet/view/ContentNegotiatingViewResolver.java
+++ b/spring-webmvc/src/main/java/org/springframework/web/servlet/view/ContentNegotiatingViewResolver.java
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright 2002-2014 the original author or authors.
+ * Copyright 2002-2015 the original author or authors.
  *
  * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
  * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
@@ -33,8 +33,8 @@ import org.apache.commons.logging.LogFactory;
 
 import org.springframework.beans.factory.BeanFactoryUtils;
 import org.springframework.beans.factory.InitializingBean;
-import org.springframework.core.OrderComparator;
 import org.springframework.core.Ordered;
+import org.springframework.core.annotation.AnnotationAwareOrderComparator;
 import org.springframework.http.MediaType;
 import org.springframework.util.Assert;
 import org.springframework.util.CollectionUtils;
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ public class ContentNegotiatingViewResolver extends WebApplicationObjectSupport
 			logger.warn("Did not find any ViewResolvers to delegate to; please configure them using the " +
 					"'viewResolvers' property on the ContentNegotiatingViewResolver");
 		}
-		OrderComparator.sort(this.viewResolvers);
+		AnnotationAwareOrderComparator.sort(this.viewResolvers);
 		this.cnManagerFactoryBean.setServletContext(servletContext);
 	}