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(goops.info.gz) Introspection

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 Introspection
 =============
 
 "Introspection", also known as "reflection", is the name given to the
 ability to obtain information dynamically about GOOPS metaobjects.  It
 is perhaps best illustrated by considering an object oriented language
 that does not provide any introspection, namely C++.
 
 Nothing in C++ allows a running program to obtain answers to the
 following types of question:
 
    * What are the data members of this object or class?
 
    * What classes does this class inherit from?
 
    * Is this method call virtual or non-virtual?
 
    * If I invoke `Employee::adjustHoliday()', what class contains the
      `adjustHoliday()' method that will be applied?
 
 In C++, answers to such questions can only be determined by looking at
 the source code, if you have access to it.  GOOPS, on the other hand,
 includes procedures that allow answers to these questions -- or their
 GOOPS equivalents -- to be obtained dynamically, at run time.
 

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