/**
     * Returns an instance of VersionInfo with the argument version.
     * @param major major version, non-negative number <= 255.
     * @param minor minor version, non-negative number <= 255.
     * @param milli milli version, non-negative number <= 255.
     * @param micro micro version, non-negative number <= 255.
     * @exception IllegalArgumentException when either arguments are negative or > 255
     * @stable ICU 2.6
     */
    public static VersionInfo getInstance(int major, int minor, int milli,
                                          int micro)
    {
        // checks if it is in the hashmap
        // else
        if (major < 0 || major > 255 || minor < 0 || minor > 255 ||
            milli < 0 || milli > 255 || micro < 0 || micro > 255) {
            throw new IllegalArgumentException(INVALID_VERSION_NUMBER_);
        }