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International Summer School on Generative and Transformational Techniques in Software Engineering

GTTSE 2005: Generative and Transformational Techniques in Software Engineering pp 65–94Cite as

Program Transformation with Reflection and Aspect-Oriented Programming

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Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNPSE,volume 4143))

Abstract

A meta-programming technique known as reflection can be regarded as a sophisticated programming interface for program transformation. It allows software developers to implement various useful program transformation without serious efforts. Although the range of program transformation enabled by reflection is quite restricted, it covers a large number of interesting applications. In particular, several non-functional concerns found in web-application software, such as distribution and persistence, can be implemented with program transformation by reflection. Furthermore, a recently emerging technology known as aspect-oriented programming (AOP) provides better and easier programming interface than program transformation does. One of the roots of AOP is reflection and thus this technology can be regarded as an advanced version of reflection. In this tutorial, we will discuss basic concepts of reflection, such as compile-time reflection and runtime reflection, and its implementation techniques. The tutorial will also cover connection between reflection and aspect-oriented programming.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Mathematical and Computing Sciences, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan

    Shigeru Chiba

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  1. Shigeru Chiba
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Fachbereich 4, Institut für Informatik, B127, Universität Koblenz-Landau, Universitätsstraße 1, 56070, Koblenz, Germany

    Ralf Lämmel

  2. Universidade do Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal

    João Saraiva

  3. Software Improvement Group, A.J., Ernststraat 595-H, 1082 LD, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Joost Visser

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Chiba, S. (2006). Program Transformation with Reflection and Aspect-Oriented Programming. In: Lämmel, R., Saraiva, J., Visser, J. (eds) Generative and Transformational Techniques in Software Engineering. GTTSE 2005. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 4143. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/11877028_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/11877028_3

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-45778-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-46235-4

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

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