Using Reflection to Generate C++ Python Bindings
summary
Uses C++ Reflection (compiled against the experimental P2996 Clang fork) to auto-generate real Python bindings for C++ libraries with PyBind11, turning per-function and per-class boilerplate into a compile-time loop that binds functions, parameter names, enums and reflection-generated constructors. Examples compile and produce usable modules, noticeably reducing maintenance for large APIs, but the approach struggles with complex ownership semantics and annotation-driven custom behavior, so hand-written PyBind11 wrappers or a different binding strategy remain necessary for advanced cases.
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chapters (12)
- 0:00Reflection-based Python bindings
- 1:09P2996 reflection in Clang
- 2:33Boilerplate in PIBind 11
- 3:39Key reflection operators
- 5:07Reflecting namespaces
- 6:10Iterating namespace members
- 7:35Binding function parameters
- 8:39Reflecting and binding classes
- 10:08Binding constructors
- 11:33Binding member functions
- 12:15When reflection is most useful
- 13:39Limitations of reflection
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