Source class abstract

Abstract base class for all reflection metadata that can be annotated.

Provides common functionality for working with annotations and protection domains across all reflectable elements (classes, methods, fields, etc.).

{@template source_metadata_features}

Key Features

• Annotation discovery and filtering by type
• Protection domain integration
• Type-safe annotation access
• Permission checking

Implementations

Typically implemented by:

• ClassMetadata for class-level annotations
• MethodMetadata for method annotations
• FieldMetadata for field annotations
• ParameterMetadata for parameter annotations

Example Usage

// Get class metadata
final classMeta = reflector.getClass('MyClass');

// Check for specific annotation
if (classMeta.hasDirectAnnotation<JsonSerializable>()) {
  // Get annotation instance
  final jsonAnn = classMeta.getDirectAnnotation<JsonSerializable>();
  print('Uses JSON serialization');
}

// Get all controller annotations
final controllers = classMeta.getDirectAnnotations<RestController>();

{@endtemplate}