Learn Reflection with Java

Overview

This course provides a practical introduction to Java Reflection, aimed at developers seeking to enhance their programming skills. Java Reflection enables inspection and manipulation of classes, interfaces, fields, and methods at runtime, even without prior knowledge of their names at compile time. This capability is important for writing dynamic and generic code, developing adaptable frameworks, and improving testing and debugging processes. The course begins with the basics of reflection and progresses to advanced topics such as sealed classes, records, and array manipulation. It also covers MethodHandle and VarHandle, offering a thorough overview of modern reflection techniques. Each lesson includes practical exercises and demonstrations to reinforce learning. By the end of the course, participants will understand how to use reflection to implement dynamic solutions, assess its impact on Java performance and correctness, and determine appropriate use cases for reflection in their projects.

Syllabus

Learn Reflection with Java

This module provides a comprehensive exploration of Java Reflection, covering its fundamentals, advanced concepts, and practical applications. Learners will understand how to inspect and manipulate classes, methods, constructors, arrays, and records at runtime, including accessing private members through deep reflection. The module also introduces MethodHandles and VarHandles for efficient, thread-safe operations, and discusses performance implications. By the end, students will grasp both the power and risks of reflection in Java programming.