MakeClass

MakeClass is a software tool designed to automate the creation of class skeletons in object-oriented programming languages. It enables developers to generate boilerplate code for classes, including fields, constructors, accessors, mutators, and basic documentation, from high-level specifications or UML-derived models. The goal is to reduce repetitive typing and to enforce consistent coding conventions across a codebase.

The tool supports multiple target languages such as C++, Java, Python, and C#. It provides a command-line interface and a template-based engine that can be extended with language-specific templates. Users can specify class metadata in a simple specification format or feed UML-like diagrams; MakeClass then outputs language-specific source files and header files where applicable. It can integrate with existing build systems through generated project files or makefiles and can detect changes to re-generate affected files.

Usage typically involves writing a class definition in YAML or JSON configuration or exporting from a UML model, selecting a language, and running the generator. Generated code can include comments and language-appropriate guards, with options to customize visibility, inheritance, and method stubs. The generated files are designed to be ready for compilation, with minimal manual edits required to fit project conventions.

Development and licensing: MakeClass is maintained in an open-source repository with a permissive license, versioning, and issue tracking. The project emphasizes portability and extensibility via plug-in templates and scripting hooks.

Impact and reception: The tool is used to speed up initial scaffolding in multi-language projects; some developers note that generated code should be reviewed for style and architectural concerns to fit project-specific conventions.