Spring's need for optional dependencies

[Paul Benedict]

Adding read edges at runtime is not a backward compatible solution. Jigsaw
should automatically allow you to read anything your Module Descriptor
gives you access to -- required or optional.

Cheers,
Paul

On Fri, Dec 18, 2015 at 10:02 AM, Peter Levart <peter.levart at gmail.com>
wrote:

>
>
> On 12/18/2015 04:49 PM, Peter Levart wrote:
>
>> You can check whether the optional module is included in a runtime
>> configuration or not with a simple Class.forName() check even if you don't
>> depend on the module (i.e. don't list it in "requires" descriptor at
>> runtime). The visibility of classes is not restricted. It only depends on
>> ClassLoader hierarchy. When you successfully resolve some optional class at
>> runtime (with Class.forName), you then have to add a read edge to it's
>> module:
>>
>>     Class<?> optionalClass = Class.forName("...");
>>     MySelfClass.getModule().addRead(optionalClass.getModule());
>>
>> ...before invoking any code that uses this module.
>>
>
> Just had an idea!
>
> Optional dependency at runtime could add a read edge to the module if that
> module was included in the configuration, but would otherwise not cause
> that module to be included in the configuration by itself. How does that
> sound? Spring would work as before - no .addRead() calls needed. Just
> Class.forName("OptionalClass").
>
> Regards, Peter
>