reflectable

Reflectable is a term often used in the context of programming languages and software development, particularly in languages that support reflection. Reflection is the ability of a program to inspect and manipulate its own structure and behavior at runtime. A reflectable object or component is one that can be examined and potentially modified using reflection.

In languages like Java, C#, and Python, reflection allows developers to access metadata about classes, methods, and fields, enabling dynamic behavior and introspection. For example, a reflectable class in Java can be examined to list its methods, constructors, and fields, even if the class was not known at compile time. This capability is useful in various scenarios, such as serialization, dependency injection, and plugin architectures.

The term "reflectable" can also refer to the design of software components that are intentionally built to be easily inspected and modified through reflection. This might involve adhering to certain conventions or using specific annotations that make the components more amenable to reflective operations. For instance, in Java, the @Reflectable annotation might be used to mark a class or method as suitable for reflection, though this is not a standard annotation in Java.

In summary, reflectable refers to the capability of software components to be inspected and manipulated through reflection, a feature supported by many modern programming languages. This capability enhances flexibility and dynamic behavior in software systems.