Code Anyway: Reflection API: Understanding and using the reflection API for dynamic class manipulation.

Saturday, June 22, 2024

Reflection API: Understanding and using the reflection API for dynamic class manipulation.

Reflection API: Understanding and using the reflection API for dynamic class manipulation

The Reflection API in Java allows you to examine or modify the behavior of classes at runtime. It provides the ability to inspect classes, interfaces, fields, and methods at runtime without knowing the names of the classes at compile time. This can be extremely useful for dynamically loading classes, invoking methods, and accessing fields based on runtime conditions.

Code Snippets

Let's start with a simple example of using the Reflection API to get the class name of an object:


import java.lang.reflect.Field;

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        String str = "Hello, Reflection!";
        Class clazz = str.getClass();
        System.out.println("Class Name: " + clazz.getName());
    }
}

Sample Examples

Here's another example showing how to dynamically create an instance of a class using the Reflection API:


public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) throws Exception {
        Class clazz = Class.forName("com.example.MyClass");
        Object obj = clazz.newInstance();
    }
}

Common Use Cases

Creating plugins or extensions for an application.
Serialization and deserialization of objects.
Dependency injection frameworks.

Importance in Interviews

Understanding the Reflection API is a common topic in technical interviews, especially for Java developers. Employers often test candidates on their ability to dynamically manipulate classes and objects using reflection.

Code Anyway

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