Reflection

Reflection exposes loaded-type metadata through Class, fields, constructors, methods, annotations, and generic descriptors.

Runtime inspection

Class<?> type = Class.forName("com.example.Plugin");
for (Method method : type.getDeclaredMethods()) {
    System.out.println(method.getName());
}

Reflective invocation loses compile-time checking, can wrap failures, and may be slower or restricted by modules. Do not bypass encapsulation casually with accessible overrides. Cache validated metadata when appropriate and whitelist permitted types/members for untrusted configuration. Prefer interfaces, factories, method handles, or generated code when the relationship is known at compile time.