hi..

has anybody used reflection in C++, like there is reflection in Java.
i have to build a Testing tool to test a class.. so i need the run time info. about the various variables, methods of a class.

i have got one reflection library at sf.net called "cppreflect"
can anyone help me on this..??

AFAIK, there is no reflection in C++. You don't really need it anyways, with real templates instead of "Generics". If you haven't already, you should check out boost.

i need to build a data flow testing tool..
that is a class is input into the tool, the tool generates different sequences of methods of the class.
& finally shortlists the feasible sequences out of these...!

each method is embedded with 3 things
1. Pre-Condition: that must be tue bfore the method executes
2. Post-Condition: that must be tue after the method execution is over
3. Invariant: condition true for the entire class

the class is emedded with these conditions & input to the tool for its data flow testing: (flow of data from one method to another)..

does the boost library provide a mechanism which can help me??

or if u have some suggestion regarding other ways of doing this,,
please share them..!

So, you want make an automatic unit testing data generator? How are you embedding the constraints into the code? As marked asserts?

I believe the best way to do this (in C++) is to essentially "compile" your sources. You can use lex and yacc to do this, or use Boost.Spirit for parsing.

actually i need to build a tool that takes class with embedded constraints as input & generates the possible sequences of methods.

the constraints are put inside the methods... by the creater of the class, like for Class 'Stack'==>

class Stack
{
Stack()
{
-1<top<=stack_size; // invariant
}

push()
{
(!stack_full) // pre-cond.
{ }

(!stack_empty) // post-cond.
}

pop()
{
(!stack_empty) // pre-cond.
{ }

(!stack_full) // post-cond.
}
}

the class is embedded with constraints;
the diff sequences cud be:

1. Stack(),push(),pop(),push(),push()
2. Stack(),push(),pop(),pop() ---> not feasible // 2 pops consecutively

now can u guess wat i am trying to do...?

Can this be done by just using Files...?

Right, you're trying to make a unit test generator. Right there, it's more or less legal C++, but you're throwing away the condtion results. Best practice to make sure that you are actually assert()ing them, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assertion_(computing).

Anyway, my original suggestion still applies (to write a "compiler"), and good luck with your project!

one thing that i forgot to tell you was:
for 2 methods in the sequence, the post-cond. of 1st shud satisfy the pre-cond. of 2nd method.

i.e:
for:
Stack()-->push()-->pop()

1. post-cond. of Stack() satisfies pre-cond. of push()
2. post-cond. of push() satisfies pre-cond. of pop()

do u think, this requires reflection..??