Question 1

How do I reflect on a class without loading it using Better Reflection?

Accepted Answer

Use the Reflector instance from BetterReflection to call reflectClass() with the class name, ensuring a source locator is configured to find the class definition in your codebase without autoloading. This is ideal for static analysis tools that need to inspect code offline.

Question 2

Better Reflection vs native PHP reflection: which should I use?

Accepted Answer

Choose Better Reflection for advanced needs like AST extraction or analyzing unloaded code in static analysis tools. For simple, runtime reflection with better performance, PHP's built-in API is sufficient and faster.

Question 3

Can Better Reflection analyze PHP closures?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Better Reflection supports full reflection on closures, allowing access to their parameters, body structure, and AST, which is useful for static analysis of anonymous functions in codebases.

Question 4

How to extract the abstract syntax tree from a method with Better Reflection?

Accepted Answer

After reflecting on a class or method using the reflector, call getAst() on the reflection object to retrieve the AST. This requires proper setup with a source locator to parse the PHP source code accurately.

Question 5

What is the performance impact of using Better Reflection in production?

Accepted Answer

Better Reflection is designed for static analysis, not runtime, and its performance is much worse than native reflection. Avoid it in production environments where speed is critical, as emphasized in the README.

Question 6

Does Better Reflection work with all PHP versions?

Accepted Answer

Better Reflection targets PHP 7.2 and above, with support for PHP 7+ type declarations. Check the documentation for specific compatibility details, as some features may depend on the PHP version used.

Better Reflection

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