What does reflection in java mean?

Reflection is one of the features of Java and is a mechanism for indirectly operating target objects.

The Java reflection mechanism means that in the running state of the Java program, for any class, all properties and methods of this class can be obtained; for a given object, any of its properties can be called. and methods. This method of dynamically obtaining the content of a class and dynamically calling objects is called reflection mechanism.

Java's reflection mechanism allows programmers to obtain class-related information in more diverse and flexible ways when the class is unknown. Calling the corresponding methods in the class is one way Java increases its flexibility and dynamics. mechanism.

Significance

First of all, the reflection mechanism greatly improves the flexibility and scalability of the program, reduces the coupling of modules, and improves its own adaptability.

Secondly, the reflection mechanism allows the program to create and control objects of any class without hardcoding the target class in advance.

Thirdly, using the reflection mechanism, you can construct an object of a class at runtime, determine the member variables and methods of a class, and call methods of an object.

Finally, the reflection mechanism is the basis for building framework technology. Using reflection can avoid writing code into the framework.

It is precisely reflection that has the above characteristics, so it can dynamically compile and create objects, which greatly stimulates the flexibility of programming languages, strengthens the polymorphic characteristics, and further enhances the abstraction ability of object-oriented programming. , so it is favored by the programming community.

Principle

The reflection mechanism (Reflection) is a relatively advanced function provided by Java. It provides a dynamic function, and this function is reflected by APIs related to the reflection mechanism can obtain information including properties, methods, constructors, modifiers, etc. of any Java class. Elements do not have to be determined when the JVM is running, reflection allows them to be created or called dynamically at runtime. Reflection technology is widely used in the field of middleware.

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