eval : Java Glossary

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eval
In many languages you can take a dynamically created String such as 6*(4+6^2)-cos(20) and ask to have it evaluated, as if it were a miniature computer program. The function to do this often has a name such as eval. Java has no such function. What can you do? Here are six different approaches:
  1. Compose a miniature Java program on the fly, one complete *.java file and invoke sun.tools.javac.Main instead of execing javac.exe. Use Class.forName or reflection on to then execute the dynamically compiled method.
  2. Similar to the method above, but directly generate some byte codes for a miniature class.
    JASM on how
  3. Write a parser using one of the compiler-compiler tools such as JavaCC.
  4. Use a different language that supports dynamic scripting that is compatible with Java, e.g. BeanShell, Jpython or FESI.
  5. Use Java version 1.6 which has scripting.
  6. For simple applications, all you need is a Hashtable that has lookup by String to give you a delegate object to execute some prewritten piece of code.

Learning More

Oracle’s Technote Guide on Scripting : available:
Oracle’s Javadoc on javax.script package : available:
Bean Shell
BeanShell
Class.forName
delegate
FESI
HashMap
Hashtable
JASM
JASM
JavaCC
JavaCompiler
JEP
JPython
on the fly compose, compile and run
parser
reflection
scripting languages
Spreadsheet Amanuensis student project
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