What is the difference between reflection and introspection?

[To advertise Java(tm) Events here, contact joris@esus.com!]

Java™
by example!

	Login
	Login here Become a member only $14.95/year!

	New @ Esus.com
	In-house search engine for better results! Get updates with the esus.com newsletter!

Home

Browse Categories

Ask a Java Question

Help

For Java Tips & Tricks, subscribe to the esus.com newsletter!

Search Java Q&A, Links, API's: adv

Index:Java 2 Standard Edition (J2SE):Java 2 JDK:Language Basics (java.lang.*):java.lang.reflect.*

Printer-friendly version

What is the difference between reflection and introspection?

Reflection allows you to inspect an object to find out the member field variables, methods and constructors.
Introspection is a subset of reflection. Through the special class java.beans.Introspector, it identifies which JavaBean properties (characteristics) an object has and uses the reflection package for that.

Further Information

Author of answer: Joris Van den Bogaert

Comments to this answer are only viewable by members. Login or become a member!

Copyright © 2000-2003 Esus.com - All Rights Reserved
Java and all Java-based trademarks are trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. Esus.com is independent of Sun Microsystems, Inc. All other trademarks are the sole property of their respective owners.