Changing the name of the method called dynamically in java

Question

I have an object "JudgesSubmission" with the following methods:

public String getInnovationGrade1() {
    return innovationGrade1;
}
public String getInnovationGrade2() {
    return innovationGrade2;
}
public String getInnovationGrade3() {
    return innovationGrade3;
}
public String getInnovationGrade4() {
    return innovationGrade4;
}

Now, when calling these methods, I want to put them in a loop where the called method name gets the index of the loop attached to its end changing the method called. Is this possible? For example, the following code would never work, but I am writing it to explain what I need:

judgesSubmission metricScores= new judgesSubmission;
int metricSum=0;
for (int i=0;i<4;i++){
metricSum=metricSum
      Integer.parseInt(metricScores.getInnovationGrade+"i"());
}

Is there a way to do that or do I always have the full method name written?

Why not just hold an array/collection in your class? Why four different methods? — Mureinik
– Mureinik, Commented Nov 16, 2017 at 18:17

davidxxx · Accepted Answer · 2017-11-16 18:20:27Z

2

What you want to do is not possible... but with reflection such as :

MyObject.class.getMethod("mymethod"+i);

Without reflection you could use a Supplier<String> :

public void process(Supplier<String>... suppliers){

    judgesSubmission metricScores= new judgesSubmission;
    int metricSum=0;
    for (Supplier<String> supplier : suppliers){
          Integer.parseInt(supplier.get());
    }
}

And call it such as :

MyObject myObject = new MyObject();
process(()->myObject.getInnovationGrade1(), 
    ()->myObject.getInnovationGrade2(),
    ()->myObject.getInnovationGrade3(),
    ()->myObject.getInnovationGrade4());

answered Nov 16, 2017 at 18:20

davidxxx

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Comments

phflack · Accepted Answer · 2017-11-16 18:35:00Z

2

It is not possible without reflection (and is highly not recommended)

Instead you may want to use other methods:

An array of the data (either replacing the 4 methods, or in addition)

String[] getInnovationGrades()
{
    return new String[]{innovationGrade1, innovationGrade2, innovationGrade3, innovationGrade4};
}

Then later you can use

for(String innovationGrade : getInnovationGrades())
    //do stuff

An argument to get the data you want

String getInnovationGrade(int i)
{
    switch(i)
    {
        case 1:
            return getInnovationGrade1();
        case 2:
            return getInnovationGrade2();
        case 3:
            return getInnovationGrade3();
        case 4:
            return getInnovationGrade4();
        default:
            return ""; //or throw exception, depends on how you wish to handle errors
    }
}

Then later you can use

for(int i = 1; i <= 4; i++)
    getInnovationGrade(i); //and do stuff with it

edited Nov 16, 2017 at 18:35

answered Nov 16, 2017 at 18:26

phflack

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3 Comments

davidxxx Over a year ago

This way is not so bad (+1). But it has still a drawback : you have to maintain both client and service side as you add or remove a method.

phflack Over a year ago

Even without full access to both parts of the code, an adapter/wrapper wouldn't be a terrible idea to implement

davidxxx Over a year ago

Really sure. But by using Supplier, you don't have this maintenance drawback.

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