How to add a new data member at runtime?

You do get java class file editors (see Google)

you also get bytecode libraries like

http://asm.ow2.org/

but I think what you are looking for is a Hashtable or HashMap where you can add name value pairs at runtime.

Hashtable<String, Object>() vehicles = new Hashtable<String, Object>();
myValues.put("car", new Car());

OK. Let me give an example to explain what I am loking for. if I have a class

public class Person
{
   private String name;
   private int  age;
}

Is it possible for me to add a member

  private String Address;

info the class during runtime. So at runtime, the 'class' would like


public class Person
{
   private String name;
   private int  age;
   
   private String Address;
}

Thanks
prain

you can achieve this with haspmap as said earlier!

As already said, this is probably possible to do in a much simpler way.
Could you explain why you cannot use a hashmap to hold different data?

If you need to add properties only once and need to getters/setters for it, you can generate a subclass with the necessary properties using any of available "code enhancements" libraries. For example, using the BeanGenerator library you can generate a runtime class extending your Person class and containing the "extra" properties. Something like:

        BeanGenerator bg = new BeanGenerator();
        bg.setClassLoader(cl);
        bg.setSuperClass (Person.class);
        bg.addProperty ("address", String.class);
        ...
        Class generatedPersonExt = bg.createClass();

Hegemon,

Is the BeanGenerator part of J2SE? and what is 'cl' in line 2 of your code sample?

prain

You either have to generate and compile the code at runtime (which is possible)
or you can do that with javascript inside java (although not in the way you suggest)

http://www.mozilla.org/rhino/

It is like you are trying to write a language, or interpreter in java.  I can explain to you how javascript does it, enable you to create "classes" at runtime, and it involves HashMaps.

I have a problem getting these non core-jave libraries. This is the problem when you work for the government. I cannot just download someone else's libraries without prior permission - which might take several weeks to approve. :-)

Your solution looks a viable solution to my issue. Unfortunately I cannot test it out because of the library issue.

-prain

Do you use Hibernate ? cglib and javassist are shipped with it.

Yes we do use Hybernate. Let me see, and will get back. Thanks. prain

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