Lecture: MetaLinks
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The document discusses advanced reflection in Smalltalk, highlighting the role of meta-links in providing a more fine-grained reflective mechanism. It introduces the concept of an Abstract Syntax Tree (AST) and explains how meta-links can be installed on AST nodes to implement various reflective behaviors, such as logging and breakpoints. Limitations of the current implementation and an invitation for contributions to ongoing development are also mentioned.
![MetaLink: MetaObject
• MetaObject can be any object
• Even a Block: [Transcript show ‘hello’]
• Install on any Node with #link:
• de-install a link with #uninstall](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/reflectivity-180323105232/85/Lecture-MetaLinks-17-320.jpg)
![MetaLink: Condition
• We can specify a condition for the MetaLink
• Link is active if the condition evaluates to true
• We can pass reifications as arguments
link := MetaLink new
metaObject: Halt;
selector: #once;
condition: [:object | object == 5] arguments: #(object).
(Number>>#sin) ast link: link.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/reflectivity-180323105232/85/Lecture-MetaLinks-23-320.jpg)
![Example: Log
• We want to just print something to the Transcript
link := MetaLink new
metaObject: [Transcript show: 'Reached Here'].
(Number>>#sin) ast link: link](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/reflectivity-180323105232/85/Lecture-MetaLinks-25-320.jpg)
![Recursion Problem
• Solution: Meta-Level
• We encode the a level in the execution of the system
• Every Link Activation increases the level
• A meta-link is just active for one level. (e.g. 0)
link := MetaLink new
metaObject: [ Object new ];
level: 0.
(Behavior>>#new) ast link: link.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/reflectivity-180323105232/85/Lecture-MetaLinks-27-320.jpg)
![Example: Log
• Better use #level: 0
• Nevertheless: be careful! If you add this to method called
often it can be very slow.
link := MetaLink new
metaObject: [Transcript show: 'Reached Here’];
level: 0.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/reflectivity-180323105232/85/Lecture-MetaLinks-28-320.jpg)
![Example: WatchPoint
• Implementation: class Watchpoint, method install
• example of a #after link with a condition
link := MetaLink new
metaObject: self;
selector: #addValue:;
arguments: #(value);
control: #after;
condition: [ recording ].](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/reflectivity-180323105232/85/Lecture-MetaLinks-32-320.jpg)
Lecture: MetaLinks
- 1. Advanced Reflection: MetaLinks Marcus Denker, Inria http://marcusdenker.de Lecture at VUB Brussels, March 22, 2018
- 2. What we know… • Smalltalk is reflective • Classes, Methods, Stack-Frames… are Objects • Reflective API on all Objects
- 3. Take home message • Reflection is based on the meta-class model, thus inherently structural. • Behavioural reflection limited to: • Method lookup upon failure ( doesNotUnderstand: message) • Current execution reified (thisContext) 61
- 4. Can we do better? • A more fine-grained reflective mechanism seems to be missing • Let’s look again at a Method in the Inspector
- 5. Inspector on a Method
- 6. The AST • AST = Abstract Syntax Tree • Tree Representation of the Method • Produced by the Parser (part of the Compiler) • Used by all tools (refactoring, syntax-highlighting,…) Smalltalk compiler parse: 'test ^(1+2)'
- 7. The Compiler • Smalltalk compiler -> Compiler Facade • Classes define the compiler to use • You can override method #compiler • Behind: Compiler Chain
- 8. The Compiler Source AST Annotated AST IR Annotated AST Bytecode RBParser OCSemanticAnalyzer OCASTTranslator/ IRBuilder IRBytecodeGenerator
- 9. AST • RBMethodNode Root • RBVariableNode Variable (read and write) • RBAssignmentNode Assignment • RBMessageNode A Message (most of them) • RBReturnNode Return
- 10. AST: Navigation • To make it easy to find and enumerate nodes, there are some helper methods • CompiledMethod has: #sendNodes, #variableNodes, #assignmentNodes • Every AST node has #nodesDo: and #allChildren
- 11. Inspect a simple AST • A very simple Example Smalltalk compiler parse: 'test ^(1+2)'
- 12. Integration • Originally just internal to the compiler • Pharo: • send #ast to a method to get the AST • Cached for persistency. (Point>>#x) ast == (Point>>#x) ast —> true
- 13. Wouldn’t it be nice.. • With the AST, wouldn’t it be nice if we could use this structure for Behavioural Reflection? • If we could somehow attach a “arrow to the code” that points to a meta-object test ^( 1 + 2 ) meta-object for this Send
- 14. We have all pieces… • We have the AST for each method • It is quite simple • We have a compiler in the system • So this should be possible…
- 15. The MetaLink • MetaLink points to metaObject • Defines a selector to call • And a control attribute: #before, #after, #instead • Installed on a AST node: link := MetaLink new metaObject: Halt; selector: #once; control: #before. (Number>>#sin) ast link: link
- 16. The MetaLink • Can be installed on any AST Node • Methods will be re-compiled on the fly just before next execution • Link installation is very fast • Changing a method removes all links from this method • Managing link re-installation has to be done by the user
- 17. MetaLink: MetaObject • MetaObject can be any object • Even a Block: [Transcript show ‘hello’] • Install on any Node with #link: • de-install a link with #uninstall
- 18. MetaLink: Selector • MetaLink defines a message send to the MetaObject • #selector defines which one • Default is #value • Yes, a selector with arguments is supported • We can pass information to the meta-object
- 19. MetaLink: Argument • The arguments define which arguments to pass • We support a number of reifications
- 20. Reifications • Reifications define data to be passed as arguments • Reify —> Make something into an object that is not one normally • Example: “All arguments of this message”
- 21. Reifications: examples • All nodes: #object #context #class #node #link • Sends: #arguments #receiver #selector • Method: #arguments #selector • Variable: #value They are defined as subclasses of class RFReification
- 22. Reifications as MetaObject • We support some special metaObjects: • #node The AST Node we are installed on • #object self at runtime • #class The class the links is installed in
- 23. MetaLink: Condition • We can specify a condition for the MetaLink • Link is active if the condition evaluates to true • We can pass reifications as arguments link := MetaLink new metaObject: Halt; selector: #once; condition: [:object | object == 5] arguments: #(object). (Number>>#sin) ast link: link.
- 24. MetaLink: control • We can specify when to call the meta-object • We support #before, #after and #instead • The instead is very simple: last one wins
- 25. Example: Log • We want to just print something to the Transcript link := MetaLink new metaObject: [Transcript show: 'Reached Here']. (Number>>#sin) ast link: link
- 26. Recursion Problem • Before we see more examples: There is a problem • Imagine we put a MetaLink on some method deep in the System (e.g new, +, do: ). • Our Meta-Object might use exactly that method, too Endless Loop!!
- 27. Recursion Problem • Solution: Meta-Level • We encode the a level in the execution of the system • Every Link Activation increases the level • A meta-link is just active for one level. (e.g. 0) link := MetaLink new metaObject: [ Object new ]; level: 0. (Behavior>>#new) ast link: link.
- 28. Example: Log • Better use #level: 0 • Nevertheless: be careful! If you add this to method called often it can be very slow. link := MetaLink new metaObject: [Transcript show: 'Reached Here’]; level: 0.
- 29. Example: Counter • In the Browser you can add a “counter” to the AST • See class ExecutionCounter install link := MetaLink new metaObject: self; selector: #increase. node link: link.
- 30. Example: Breakpoint • “Add Breakpoint” in AST (Suggestions) Menu • See class Breakpoint • Break Once • Conditional Break breakLink ^ MetaLink new metaObject: Break; selector: #break; options: options
- 31. Example: WatchPoint • Watchpoint: Record Value at a point in the AST • Example: Watch event in WorldMorph>>#mouseDown: Click on background -> value recorded
- 32. Example: WatchPoint • Implementation: class Watchpoint, method install • example of a #after link with a condition link := MetaLink new metaObject: self; selector: #addValue:; arguments: #(value); control: #after; condition: [ recording ].
- 33. Example: Code Coverage • Small Demo. • Start with CoverageDemo new openWithSpec
- 34. Example: Code Coverage • Example of a MetaLink with a #node MetObject • Meta-Object is the node that the link is installed on link := MetaLink new metaObject: #node; selector: #tagExecuted.
- 35. Interesting Properties • Cross Cutting • One Link can be installed multiple times • Over multiple methods and even Classes • And across operations (e.g., Send and Assignment) as long as all reifications requested are compatible • Fully Dynamic: Links can be added and removed at runtime • Even by the meta-object of another meta-link!
- 36. Limitations • Better use Pharo7 (we are improving it still) • Still some bugs with #after on MethodNode • Loops: next execution of a method. Need to restart long running loops (no on-stack replacement). • Keep in mind: next metaLink taken into account for next method activation • Take care with long running loops!
- 37. Help Wanted • We are always interested in improvements! • Pharo7 is under active development. • Pull Requests Welcome!