Re: [boost] Library Proposal: Reflection for C++

From: David Abrahams (dave_at_[hidden])
Date: 2006-02-04 11:39:53

Sebastian Redl <sebastian.redl_at_[hidden]> writes:

> David Abrahams wrote:
>
>>Even if the run-time reflection system is generating code?
>>The boundaries are a lot more fluid than you probably imagine.
>>
> That, however, means integrating a (mostly) complete C++ compiler or 
> interpreter into the reflection library (mostly in that it can 
> interpret/compile an intermediate form instead of real source).

That might be easier than you think.  There's always 

  system("c++ whatever.cpp...")

There's a really interesting python project that lets you embed C++
directly in your Python function.  Remember, Python is fully dynamic,
so the types passed could be anything.  The C++ gets compiled
on-the-fly, as needed, for the different combinations of argument
types passed to python.  They didn't invent a whole new C++ compiler,
they just require you to have one in the system, and they use that.

-- 
Dave Abrahams
Boost Consulting
www.boost-consulting.com