diff --git a/core/org.eclipse.cdt.core/model/org/eclipse/cdt/internal/core/model/CElement.java b/core/org.eclipse.cdt.core/model/org/eclipse/cdt/internal/core/model/CElement.java
index 9ef9f1afadb..2fafb9cd91a 100644
--- a/core/org.eclipse.cdt.core/model/org/eclipse/cdt/internal/core/model/CElement.java
+++ b/core/org.eclipse.cdt.core/model/org/eclipse/cdt/internal/core/model/CElement.java
@@ -394,4 +394,12 @@ public abstract class CElement extends PlatformObject implements ICElement {
 		return Util.combineHashCodes(fName.hashCode(), fParent.hashCode());
 	}
 	
+	/*
+	 * Test to see if two objects are identical
+	 * Subclasses should override accordingly
+	 */
+	public boolean isIdentical( CElement otherElement){
+		return this.equals(otherElement);
+	}
+	
 }