Re: Dynamic Loading of Classes.

From:
Lew <lew@nospam.lewscanon.com>
Newsgroups:
comp.lang.java.programmer
Date:
Sun, 08 Apr 2007 01:17:29 -0400
Message-ID:
<_I2dnZ09atV054XbnZ2dnUVZ_qGjnZ2d@comcast.com>
Karl Uppiano wrote:

The real question is why you even need reflection in the first place. In
virtually all situations in Java where one is attempting a reflective
solution one is better served using an object-oriented approach, and one
gains huge benefits by using the more static approach. Yes, there are
times when Class.forName() is useful, such as to load a JDBC Driver, but
this is a limited use of reflection. More complex uses are usually
needless.


In situations where someone is building a "pluggable" framework using
interfaces, and the implementor is unknown at design time, reflection, e.g.,
Class.forName, is the only way I know to accomplish this.


Which is roughly what the OP said, thus answering the real question.

They also said that this was an academic exercise wherein the use of
reflection and class loaders was required.

It remains true that for the largest category of projects reflection is used
lightly, generally not much past using Class.forName() or using Class<T> as a
runtime type marker. The full marvelous power of reflection is inarguably
useful in those scenarios where it is needed.

--
Lew

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