java.lang.Class usage

definition

The java.lang.Class class instance represent classes and interfaces in a running Java application. It has no public constructor.

example

ClassTest.java

@Test
public void testClassForName() {
    try {
        Class cls = Class.forName("Person");
        Person person = cls.getConstructor(String.class).newInstance("test");
        System.out.println(person.getName());
    } catch (ClassNotFoundException e) {
        // TODO Auto-generated catch block
        e.printStackTrace();
    } catch (InstantiationException e) {
        // TODO Auto-generated catch block
        e.printStackTrace();
    } catch (IllegalAccessException e) {
        // TODO Auto-generated catch block
        e.printStackTrace();
    } catch (IllegalArgumentException e) {
        // TODO Auto-generated catch block
        e.printStackTrace();
    } catch (InvocationTargetException e) {
        // TODO Auto-generated catch block
        e.printStackTrace();
    } catch (NoSuchMethodException e) {
        // TODO Auto-generated catch block
        e.printStackTrace();
    } catch (SecurityException e) {
        // TODO Auto-generated catch block
        e.printStackTrace();
    }
}

Person.java

public class Person {

    private String name = null;

    public Person() {
        this.name = "abc";
    }

    public Person(final String name) {
        this.name = name;
    }

    public String getName() {
        return this.name;
    }
}

usage

java.lang.Class is helpful when you apply it to the design patterns or some other scenarios.