Using annotation processor as a query tool

Question

Is it possible to use Annotation Processor as tool for querying over a set of .java files as well as .class files in jars/zips/folder? For example, given a set of source folders and jars/zips/folders containing class files I want write a queries like:
- list all classes that extend javax.swing.JComponent
- list all methods that returm javax.swing.JComponent
- list all methods that take javax.swing.JComponent as a parameter

Answer 1

Is it possible to use Annotation Processor as tool
for querying over a set of .java files as well as
.class files in jars/zips/folder? For example, given
a set of source folders and jars/zips/folders
containing class files I want write a queries like:Annotation processing can work over source and/or class files. However, there is no built-in support for enumerating all the types in a given set of jar/zip/folders. If this list can be generated, those types can be passed as the initial inputs to the tool. If you are using apt, in Tiger update 1 and later the -XclassesAsDecls flag allows type names to be given as input. This capability is available out of the box with JSR 269 in the JDK 6 javac.
- list all classes that extend
javax.swing.JComponent
- list all methods that returm
javax.swing.JComponent
- list all methods that take javax.swing.JComponent
as a parameterAll of these queries can be written using the model provided by the annotation processing frameworks.