Learn Reflection with Java

Reflection is a powerful Java feature that can be used to expand the capabilities of a program, to examine the class or object internals at runtime.
Java Reflection is quite powerful and can be very useful. Java Reflection makes it possible to inspect classes, interfaces, fields, and methods at runtime, without knowing the names of the classes, methods, etc. at compile time. Java Reflection is useful for creating generic code, implementing dynamic frameworks, and testing and debugging. In this course, we start with the basics, then show how reflection works with the more modern language features such as sealed classes and records. We also show how arrays can be manipulated and created via reflection. Lastly, we show MethodHandle and VarHandle. Learn from hands-on exercises that are followed by demos revealing the solutions.
Some key points covered in this course
Save programming time by writing dynamic solutions to reoccurring problems.
Learn how dynamic coding via reflection affects Java performance and correctness.
A well-rounded Java programmer should know reflection, when to use it, and more importantly, when not to use it.
About the Instructor
Heinz Kabutz is the author of "The Java Specialists' Newsletter,' where he explores interesting tips and tricks from the Java Programming Language. He has a PhD in Computer Science. Heinz has programmed significant portions of several large Java applications and has taught Java to thousands of professional programmers. He is a regular speaker at all the major Java conferences.
Skill Level
Beginner to Intermediate
Learn How To
Inspect a class and find methods, fields, and constructors at runtime
Call methods, change fields, even if they are private
Write more general code that can be reused in many different contexts
Understand VarHandles and MethodHandles and know when to use them
Know how sealed classes and records can be inspected via reflection
Course Requirement
Pre-requ's: Students should be very familiar with Java 11, understanding data structures, object orientation, recursion and modern Java syntax.
Prior experience with reflection is a bonus, but not necessary.
Who Should Take This Course
Profile: Java programmers, programmers of other languages new to Java.