MINERVA provides three ways to use Java methods and objects.

• Metagen: high level generator to add all methods of a given class. This is the most convenient method and highly recommended for most purposes. Based on reflection. Generates names automatically from Java counterparts, thus makes it easy to use existing Java documentation for complete libraries.

  Used in most cases that involve Java libraries, e.g. programs in ExamplePrograms/Extensions.

  Implemented in the minerva program metagen.

• Reflection: allows fine-grained access via reflection, independent naming of Prolog and Java entities, programmer controlled timing of class retrieval and on-the-fly interface generation

  Implemented as built-in system library.

• Static: extremely flexible mechanism to beforehand link Java libraries with MINERVA.

  Used for example for the interface with the JAVA AWT graphical user interface library.

  Implemented with the command minervax.

All three mechnisms

• can use any Java object as opaque Prolog data type
• allow to map Java method names to MINERVA predicate names
• automatically convert between corresponding MINERVA and Java data types
• can be used together as needed

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