Use the value of a string as a variable/atribute

**Kmsitu_bcn** · 12-01-2011, 01:10 PM

Hello!

I have a little question and cant find the solution, so if someone can please help me, I'll appreciate it.

I would like to use the value of a string as a atribute of a class.

Incorrect Example:

String str = "atributeName";
className.str = X;

Thanks.

**Tolls** · 12-01-2011, 01:18 PM

Reflection, though that is usually a Bad Idea outside of certain frameworks.
And this looks like it may well be one of those Bad Ideas.

**JosAH** · 12-01-2011, 03:29 PM

Only interpreters keep the identifier names during runtime (e.g. most have an "eval" funtion/method); compilers don't pass their symbol tables (where the identifier names are stored) over to the runtime; in fact it may even be impossible to do so. Maybe a Properties object or a Map<String, Object> can be a solution?

kind regards,

Jos

**Tolls** · 12-01-2011, 04:00 PM

If you know thename of an attribute of a class I thought you could use reflection to access it?
Not that I've ever bothered too much with it...

**JosAH** · 12-01-2011, 04:32 PM

Originally Posted by Tolls

If you know thename of an attribute of a class I thought you could use reflection to access it?
Not that I've ever bothered too much with it...

Yep, true, but Reflection is like surgery and you don't want to dig through intestines to find a member of an object ;-) Reflection ruins all the object oriented stuff and all the rules of the game.
kind regards,

Jos