Exploring reflection to dynamically aspectizing CORBA-based applications

Abstract

In this paper, we discuss how reflective techniques are used to dynamic aspectizing CORBA-based applications. We use a reflective aspect-based language, AspectLua where support for aspect-oriented programming (AOP) is built on top of the reflection features of an interpreted language, Lua. In order to implement AOP in the Lua language we define a meta-object protocol (MOP) that provides an interception mechanism composed by operations to inspect the internal structure of the language and to modify its behavior. We also use a binding between Lua and CORBA, LuaOrb, which relies on the reflective features of CORBA and Lua. We discuss a case study that evaluates the facility offered by AspectLua combined with LuaOrb to adapting CORBA applications.

A Lua-based AOP infrastructure

“…Second, it can only be used in Java or J2EE applications. AspectLua is integrated with a CORBA environment [25] in which applications can be written in any language that has a binding to CORBA. Thus, our work is applied in a broader context than that of AspectWerkz.…”

“…In this work we present an aspect-oriented infrastructure that handles aspect-oriented programming and addresses the limitations described above. The infrastructure is composed of: (1) AspectLua -an extension to the Lua language [7] to allow aspect definition; (2) LuaMOP [25] -a meta-object protocol (MOP) that provides an abstraction over the reflective features of Lua and allows application methods and variables to be affected by the aspect definition. The advantage of using a MOP as an underlying mechanism to handle dynamic weaving is that it allows non-invasive changes of the original application code.…”

“…In addition, as Lua is also used in a CORBA-based development application environment [25], the AspectLua infrastructure presented in this paper is useful for applying AOP to the dynamic adaptation of CORBA-based application. It makes adaptation of component code possible as well adaptation of aspect code and of the overall application.…”

A Lua-based AOP Infrastructure

“…The infrastructure is composed of: (1) AspectLua -an extension to the Lua language [7] to allow aspect definition; (2) LuaMOP [25] -a meta-object protocol (MOP) that provides an abstraction over the reflective features of Lua and allows application methods and variables to be affected by the aspect definition. The advantage of using a MOP as an underlying mechanism to handle dynamic weaving is that it allows non-invasive changes of the original application code.…”