Computational reflection

Computational reflection is a programming paradigm in which a program can analyze and modify itself. It is closely related to metaprogramming, in that it allows programs to be written that can introspect and modify themselves at runtime.

One of the key features of computational reflection is that it allows programs to treat themselves as data. This means that a program can examine its own source code, data structures, and execution state, and modify these as needed. This can be used to implement powerful features such as self-modifying code, dynamic loading and linking, and introspection.

Computational reflection is a relatively new paradigm, and as such there are few languages that support it natively. However, it is possible to add support for it to most languages using metaprogramming techniques.

What is an example of a reflection?

A reflection is a type of mirroring that occurs when light bounces off of a surface. A reflection can be created by any object that is shiny and smooth, such as a mirror, a lake, or a piece of glass. When light hits a reflection, it is reflected back in a line that is perpendicular to the surface.

Why is reflection useful programming?

There are many reasons why reflection is useful in programming. First, reflection can be used to dynamically load classes and invoke methods. This can be very useful in situations where the code needs to be flexible and adapt to different situations. Second, reflection can be used to inspect classes and their members. This can be useful for debugging or for creating tools that work with code. Third, reflection can be used to create new objects. This can be useful for creating objects that are not part of the standard library, or for creating objects that have special properties. Finally, reflection can be used to access private members of classes. This can be useful for accessing functionality that is not intended to be public. What is reflection system? A reflection system is a set of tools and libraries that allow a programmer to inspect and modify the structure and behavior of a running program. This can be used to, for example, add new functionality to a program without having to recompile or restart it. What is reflection used for? Reflection is a powerful tool that allows developers to write code that can inspect and modify the behavior of other code at runtime. This can be used for a variety of purposes, such as creating plugins or adding new features to existing code. Reflection can also be used to debug code, or to automatically generate code based on existing code.

What is the difference between reflection and introspection? There are several key differences between reflection and introspection. First, reflection generally refers to the act of observing and analyzing one's own thoughts and behavior, while introspection generally refers to the act of observing and analyzing one's own thoughts and feelings. Second, introspection is typically a more private and personal process than reflection, which is often more public and less personal. Finally, reflection is often more analytical and objective than introspection, which is often more subjective and emotional.