Can android execute string as code?

Question

So basically I would like my app to read info from a database, this info would be a string that is valid java code. Once read, I would like my app to execute this string as if it were code. Is there any functionality packaged with the android sdk that supports this?

Essentially I want the phone to populate some data with information queried from a database. One of these pieces of information would be a statement like:

"return data.ZombieKillTotal >= 100000;"

Which would be used inside a statement like:

registerAchievement(new Achievement("Zombie Killer", new AchievementValidator() { 
    public boolean isSatisfied(Data data) { ExecStringAsCode(query result) } 
    });

I just don't know what to use for 'ExecStringAsCode' :(

Not really a good idea, it's even a terrible idea to execute string. — Colin Hebert
– Colin Hebert, Commented Aug 24, 2010 at 17:53
I don't know if you'd want to do this on Android or even if it's supported, but in Java you'd probably have to use dynamically compiled/loaded/executed classes. — Nate W.
– Nate W., Commented Aug 24, 2010 at 17:56
@Colin: How would you recommend getting that information into the class from the database if not executing the string? — FlyingStreudel
– FlyingStreudel, Commented Aug 24, 2010 at 18:03
This is a really dangerous idea. Why not just parse the string and do what you need to do with it? — Falmarri
– Falmarri, Commented Aug 24, 2010 at 18:13
I am trying not to limit the functionality of the achievement validation. If I am misunderstanding perhaps you could provide an example of parsed string to code? — FlyingStreudel
– FlyingStreudel, Commented Aug 24, 2010 at 18:22

FlyingStreudel · Accepted Answer · 2010-08-24 18:43:13Z

3

I ended up using the JRE library and imported javax.script.*;

http://java.sun.com/developer/technicalArticles/J2SE/Desktop/scripting/

answered Aug 24, 2010 at 18:43

FlyingStreudel

4,5044 gold badges36 silver badges55 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

Comments

fadden · Accepted Answer · 2010-08-24 17:58:55Z

0

The Java programming language doesn't really provide a feature for the execution of code in text strings.

You could embed an interpreter for a more script-friendly language (perhaps Python) and execute code that way.

answered Aug 24, 2010 at 17:58

fadden

52.5k5 gold badges119 silver badges173 bronze badges

Comments

Jason · Accepted Answer · 2010-08-24 18:39:37Z

0

if you want to execute code loaded dynamicly you will have to use somthing like COdeDOM to create code and compile it then use reflection to load and excute it.

answered Aug 24, 2010 at 18:39

Jason

4,0444 gold badges42 silver badges63 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Can android execute string as code?

3 Answers 3

Comments

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

3 Answers 3

Comments

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related