C++ Reflection Is Not Contemplation

Explore a comprehensive conference talk from CppCon 2024 where NVIDIA Principal Research Scientist Andrei Alexandrescu delves into the evolving landscape of C++ reflection capabilities. Learn about the current state of programmatic code inspection, the challenges in code generation aspects, and the necessity for enhanced generative capabilities in C++ reflection. Discover how the existing focus on reflecting preexisting code creates limitations in synthesizing new artifacts, and gain insights into both current and upcoming proposals for generative extensions. Understand the contrast between well-developed reflection query capabilities and the more limited code generation features, while examining practical examples that demonstrate why robust generative capabilities are crucial for the future of C++ reflection.