An Introduction to the New C++26 Reflection Feature

Explore the groundbreaking reflection feature coming to C++26 in this comprehensive conference talk from CppCon 2025. Discover the final version of the reflection proposal, including the std::meta namespace, which is scheduled for standardization in June 2025. Begin with a historical overview of reflection in programming languages before diving into the utilities and capabilities of the latest reflection proposal. Learn practical applications through demonstrations of common problems that benefit from reflection and understand the transformative power this feature brings to C++ codebases. Examine the potential for reflection libraries, including both traditional functionality-providing libraries and novel approaches that can reshape user code. Investigate how reflection may revolutionize codebase management and software delivery processes. The session covers real-world examples and explores future possibilities within what the speaker calls the "meta::[[verse]]", providing insights into how this feature will impact C++ development practices and open new avenues for library design and code generation.