Code generation considered harmful

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Tweak any generated ASM lately?

I really don't get the attitude of people who insist that generated code must be "tweakable".

Think about a C++ compiler (sorry to bring that up) that generates ASM code. Yes, it's "code", but how many people edit it?

I think the "trick" here is to get people to realize that generated Java code from a visual builder is no different than generated ASM code from a C++ compiler. Neither should be expected to be tweakable.

Of course this means that visual builders must have the appropriate ways to hook in "extra" behavior. (That's where mine was going). Something like a combo of template method with strategies that can be plugged in where requested, but the strategy calls don't exist unless you've used a hook in the builder.

Of course a very simple solution would be to
* generate Java code
* compile it to bytecode
* delete the java code

Making it obvious that there is no intent of letting you edit.

I hate "round-tripping" for the reasons you state, and my visual builder wasn't going to support it.

Code generation is your friend, but it should be a one-way process.
- Scott

Posted by: javadude_z   Posted on: 03/05/06 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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