1. A first language for Aspect-Oriented Programming
Overview of AspectJ
A first language for Aspect-Oriented Programming
Based on slides by
Oren Mishali

2. Aspect Oriented Programming A reminder…
During the life cycle of a software system, we encounter crosscutting concerns that span multiple modules.
e.g. tracing, caching …
Attempt to implement them in a traditional way (OOP) leads to scattering & tangling.
AOP suggests the separation of each concern into unit of modularization – aspect.

3. Pointcuts and Advice
Most of AspectJ gives keywords for defining joinpoints within pointcuts (Where and When)
Advice (What) is slightly extended Java
Pointcuts are also used to expose context from the joinpoint environment to the advice code

4. A simple banking system
Client *
Clerk
<< uses >> *
Account
- balance:float
+deposit(float)
+withdraw(float)
While developing , we want to trace each public method call.
Solution without AspectJ:
Look for public method calls and insert printing before the call.

5. AspectJ solution PublicTracing.java ajc *.java java BankingSystem
aspect PublicTracing {
pointcut publicCalls() :
call ( public *.* (..) );
before() : publicCalls() {
System.out.println(“Calling public method”); }
ajc *.java
java BankingSystem
Calling public method
… … … … … … …

6. AspectJ New versions are frequent (now 1.5.2)
General-purpose, aspect oriented extension to Java.
Every valid Java program is also a valid AspectJ program.
With AspectJ:
You implement the core concerns using Java.
You use the extensions provided to implement the aspects.
You weave them together with ajc (no need for javac).
New versions are frequent (now 1.5.2)

7. Dynamic crosscutting
AspectJ enables us to define events in the program flow and then add an advice at those events.
This capability is called dynamic crosscutting
Keywords: join point, pointcut, advice.
Is it possible to add an advice before the execution of a while block ?
Or before the execution of a method?

8. Join points Join point is an event in the execution of a program.
With well defined start point and end point.
e.g. execution of a for block, method call,
static initialization of a class, execution of a catch block …
Exposed join points are subset of all possible join points
that AspectJ exposes to us.
In practice this means that we can only add advice at
exposed join points.
So what are they?

9. Exposed join points in AspectJ Method call & Method execution
acount.deposit(amount)
:Client
account:Account
deposit(amount)
deposit execution
deposit call
The most useful join points.
For most purposes, the difference does not matter.
What is the difference?

10. Exposed join points in AspectJ All the rest…
Constructor call & execution
Field read & write access ( Except for local or const )
Execution of a catch block
Static initialization of a class
Object initialization & pre-initialization
Execution of an advice ( Advise an advice ? )
Is it possible to add an advice before the execution of a
while block ?

11. Pointcuts Join point is a concept.
Pointcut is a syntactic construct that defines a set of join points.
Suppose we want to trace each execution of a catch block that handles exceptions of type AccountException:
before() : handler(AccountException) {
System.out.println(“Before execution of catch block”); }
Or:
pointcut accountExceptionHandler() : handler(AccountException);
before() : accountExceptionHandler() {
Anonymous pointcut
Named pointcut

12. Pointcuts (cont.)
In same manner, a pointcut syntax exists for each kind of join point.
E.g. call( pattern ), execution( pattern ), set( pattern ) …
Use * , + , .. wildcards to define a common pattern.
Use operators to create complex pointcuts:
! p - each join point that is not defined by pointcut p.
p1 || p2 – each join point that is defined by either p1 or p2.
p1 && p2 – each join point that is defined by both p1 and p2.
E.g.
set(private float Account.balance) && get(private float Account.balance)
set(private float Account.balance) || get(private float Account.balance)

13. More primitive pointcuts…
Some join points have arguments:
Method and constructor join points.
Execution of a catch block ( handled exception ).
Field write access ( new value to be set ).
Suppose we want to trace each join point that has one argument of type String.
We can do that using args( pattern ) primitive pointcut:
before() : args( String ) {
System.out.println( “Before one String parameter”); }

14. More primitive pointcuts…
Suppose we want to trace each call to Account.deposit(float) made by
a Clerk object but not by a Client object.
call( public void Account.deposit(float) ) ?
this( Type ) pointcut defines all join points where this-object is subtype of Type including Type itself.
before() : call( public void Account.deposit(float) ) && this ( Clerk ) {
System.out.println( “Clerk object calls Account.deposit()” ); }
target( Type ) is similar but based on the target object.
call( * Account+.*(..) ) == target( Account ) ?

15. Scoping pointcuts adviceexecution() –all joinpoints in advice
within(TypePattern) –all joinpoints in code defined in the Type (class or aspect)
withincode(MethodPattern) –every joinpoint within methods with MethodPattern signature

16. Passing context from join point to advice
Advice often needs some information about the advised join point. (context)
E.g. advice on a method call join point wants to print the caller object (this), the called object (target), or the method arguments.
A pointcut may expose an argument/this-object/target-object from a join point.
pointcut withdrawOperations(Client client, Account account, float amount) :
call( public void Account.withdraw( float ) ) && this( client )
&& target( account ) && args( amount ) ;

17. Advice before() advice
Logic - permit withdraw only if account.balance >= amount.
before( Client client, Account account, float amount ) throws AccountException :
withdrawOperations( client, account, amount ) {
if ( account.balance() < amount ) {
client.send(“Please contact you bank office”);
account.block(true);
throw new AccountException(); }
Note parameters of the before that link pointcut arguments with
the advice

18. Advice around() advice
Logic – if amount > account.balance, withdraw balance.
void around( Client client, Account account, float amount ) throws AccountException:
withdrawOperations( client, account, amount) {
if ( amount < account.balance() )
proceed( client, account, amount);
else
proceed( client, account, account.balance() ); }
around() advice executes instead of the join point.
You must specify a return value.

19. Advice after() advice Several kinds of after() advice:
after returning() – executes only after a successful return.
after throwing() – executes only after thrown exception.
after() – executes after both cases.
We can access the return value / exception :
after() returning(float amount) : call( Account.balance(..) ) {
Logger.log(amount); }

20. Aspect
Is the basic unit of modularization for crosscutting concern in AspectJ.
Can includes advice, pointcuts, introductions and compile-time declarations.
An aspect is like a class:
Can include data members and methods.
Can have access specifier.
Can be declared as abstract.
Can be embedded inside classes and interfaces.
An aspect is not a class:
Cannot be directly instantiated with new.
Instantiation is done by the system. Singleton by default.
Cannot inherit from concrete aspects.
Can have a privileged access specifier.
Gives it access to the private member of the class it is crosscutting.

21. Static crosscutting
Modifies the static structure of the program or its compile-time behavior.
Member introduction.
Adding class fields or methods.
Type-hierarchy modification.
Adding class interfaces or a super class.
Compile-time errors and warnings.
Based on certain usage patterns.

22. Static crosscutting Member introduction
Suppose we want to allow deposit only if it is higher than last deposit.
We need lastDeposit field. Where?
aspect DepositAspect {
private float Account.lastDeposit = 0; // private to the aspect, not to Account.
void around( Account account, float amount ) :
execution ( void Account.deposit(float) ) && args( amount ) &&this(account) {
if ( amount > account.lastDeposit ) {
proceed( account, amount );
account.lastDeposit = amount; }

23. More on AspectJ: cflow() and cflowbelow() pointcuts
Account.withdraw( amount )
The program fails in the marked area.
should we trace using execution(Database.confirm(float)) ?
cflow( pointcut )
Defines all join points that occur in the flow of the join points defined by pointcut including the pointcut join points.
cflowbelow( pointcut )
Defines all join points that occur in the flow of the join points defined by pointcut excluding the pointcut join points.
:Client
:Account
:Database
withdraw(amount)
confirm(amount)

24. More on AspectJ: clflow() & cflowbelow() pointcuts
Account.withdraw( amount )
The program fails in the marked area.
should we trace using execution(Database.confirm(float)) ?
cflow( pointcut )
Defines all join points that occur in the flow of the join points defined by pointcut including the pointcut join points.
cflowbelow( pointcut )
Defines all join points that occur in the flow of the join points defined by pointcut excluding the pointcut join points.
:Client
:Account
:Database
withdraw(amount)
confirm(amount)
cflow( call(Account.withdraw(float)) && this(Client) )

25. More on AspectJ: clflow() & cflowbelow() pointcuts
Account.withdraw( amount )
The program fails in the marked area.
should we trace using execution(Database.confirm(float)) ?
cflow( pointcut )
Defines all join points that occur in the flow of the join points defined by pointcut including the pointcut join points.
cflowbelow( pointcut )
Defines all join points that occur in the flow of the join points defined by pointcut excluding the pointcut join points.
:Client
:Account
:Database
withdraw(amount)
confirm(amount)
cflow( call(Account.withdraw(float)) && this(Client) ) && execution( Database.confirm(float) )

26. More on AspectJ: clflow() & cflowbelow() pointcuts
Account.withdraw( amount )
The program fails in the marked area.
should we trace using execution(Database.confirm(float)) ?
cflow( pointcut )
Defines all join points that occur in the flow of the join points defined by pointcut including the pointcut join points.
cflowbelow( pointcut )
Defines all join points that occur in the flow of the join points defined by pointcut excluding the pointcut join points.
:Client
:Account
:Database
withdraw(amount)
confirm(amount)
cflow( call(Account.withdraw(float)) && this(Client) ) && execution( Database.confirm(float) )
cflowbelow( call(Account.withdraw(float)) && this(Client) )

27. More on AspectJ clflow() & cflowbelow() pointcuts
Account.withdraw( amount )
The program fails in the marked area.
should we trace using execution(Database.confirm(float)) ?
cflow( pointcut )
Defines all join points that occur in the flow of the join points defined by pointcut including the pointcut join points.
cflowbelow( pointcut )
Defines all join points that occur in the flow of the join points defined by pointcut excluding the pointcut join points.
:Client
:Account
:Database
withdraw(amount)
confirm(amount)
cflow( call(Account.withdraw(float)) && this(Client) ) && execution( Database.confirm(float) )
cflowbelow( call(Account.withdraw(float)) && this(Client) ) && execution(Database.confirm(float))

28. More on AspectJ thisJoinPoint
Special reference variable that contains static and dynamic information of a join point.
May be used by an advice.
Usage involves run-time creation overhead.
Use thisJoinPointStaticPart when only static information is necessary.
When possible, prefer usage of args() this() and target() to collect dynamic information.

29. More on AspectJ Advice precedence
Often, several advices may advise the same join point in the same place.
What is the order of execution?
Precedence of such advices in a single aspect is according to their lexical appearance.
declare precedence construct should be used when order of execution is important among different aspects.
declare precedence : FirstAspect , SecondAspect; specifies that advices of FirstAspect take higher precedence.

30. Contract Enforcement Design by contract.
Precondition defines the client's responsibility.
Postcondition is the supplier's part of the contract.
Putting pre- and post-condition assertions directly into application code?
Lack of code modularity. Tangled code. Mixes business-logic code with assertions.

31. Contract Enforcement - Example
class Point {
int _x, _y;
void setX(int x) { _x = x; } // precondition: x >= MIN_X
void setY(int y) { _y = y; }
int getX() { return _x; }
int getY() { return _y; } }
class Client {
Client(Point p) {
p.setX(-1);
p.setY(50); // postcondition: p.getY() == 50

32. Pre-Condition Using Before Advice
aspect PointBoundsPreCondition {
before(int newX):call(void Point.setX(int)) && args(newX) {
assert(newX >= MIN_X);
assert(newX <= MAX_X); }
before(int newY): call(void Point.setY(int)) && args(newY){
assert(newY >= MIN_Y);
assert(newY <= MAX_Y);
private void assert(boolean v) {
if ( !v )
throw new RuntimeException();

33. Post-Condition Using After Advice
aspect PointBoundsPostCondition {
after(Point p, int newX) returning:
call(void Point.setX(int)) && target(p) && args(newX) {
assert(p.getX() == newX); }
after(Point p, int newY) returning:
call(void Point.setY(int)) && target(p) && args(newY) {
assert(p.getY() == newY);
private void assert(boolean v) {
if ( !v )
throw new RuntimeException();

34. Flexible Access Control
Enforce an access-control crosscutting concern.
Java's access controls: public, private, package, and protected.
Not enough control in many cases.
Example: Factory design-pattern implementation:
We want only the factory to create the product objects.
Other classes should be prohibited from accessing constructors of any product class.
Marking constructors with package access?
Only when the factory resides in the same package as the manufactured classes - inflexible solution!

35. Flexible Access Control (continued)
C++'s friend mechanism controls access to a class from other specified classes and methods.
With AspectJ we can implement such functionality in Java.
Even more fine-grained and expressive access control!

36. Flexible Access Control - Example
Product class has a constructor and a configure() method.
We also declare a nested FlagAccessViolation aspect.
Pointcut 1 detects constructor calls not from ProductFactory or its subclasses.
Pointcut 2 detects configure() calls not from ProductConfigurator or its subclasses.
We declare either such violations as compile-time errors.
public class Product { public Product() { /* constructor implementation */ } public void configure() { /* configuration implementation */ } static aspect FlagAccessViolation {
pointcut factoryAccessViolation() : call(Product.new(..)) && !within(ProductFactory+);               pointcut configuratorAccessViolation()         : call(* Product.configure(..)) && !within(ProductConfigurator+);      declare error         :  factoryAccessViolation() ||
configuratorAccessViolation()         : "Access control violation";     } }
must be a “static pointcut”
If any of the join points in the pointcut possibly exist in the program, the compiler should emit an error of String.

37. Flexible Access Control - Example
public class ProductFactory {     public Product createProduct() {         return new Product(); // ok     }          public void configureProduct(Product product) {         product.configure(); // error     } }
The ProductFactory class calls the Product.configure() method.
Compile-time error with a specified "Access control violation" message.

38. Semantic based crosscutting behavior
Problem:
Operations with the same semantic characteristics should typically implement common behaviors.
A wait cursor should be put before any slow method executes.
Authentication before access to all security-critical data.
Since such concerns possess a crosscutting nature, AOP and AspectJ offer mechanisms to modularize them.
Because a method's name might not indicate its characteristics, we need a different mechanism to capture such methods.

39. Semantic based crosscutting behavior
Solution:
Declare the aspect adding semantic-based crosscutting behavior as an abstract aspect.
In that aspect, declare an abstract pointcut for methods with characteristics under consideration.
Finally, write an advice performing the required implementation.

40. Semantic based crosscutting behavior
Example:
SlowMethodAspect declares the abstract slowMethods() pointcut and advises it to first put a wait cursor, proceed with the original operation, and finally restore the original cursor.

41. include code to participate
Semantic based crosscutting behavior
Implementation:
public abstract aspect SlowMethodAspect {     abstract pointcut slowMethods(Component uiComp);     void around(Component uiComp) : slowMethods(uiComp) {         Cursor originalCursor = uiComp.getCursor();         Cursor waitCursor = Cursor.getPredefinedCursor(Cursor.WAIT_CURSOR);         uiComp.setCursor(waitCursor);         try {             proceed(uiComp);         } finally {             uiComp.setCursor(originalCursor);         }     } }
GUIComp1 contains following aspect: public static aspect SlowMethodsParticipant extends SlowMethodAspect { pointcut slowMethods(Component uiComp)             : execution(void GUIComp1.performOperation1())             && this(uiComp); }
The aspected classes
include code to participate
in the collaboration