Object-Oriented PHP

Reflecting

The reflection classes make it easy to generate documentation for both internal and user-defined classes. Documentation can be created directly from the class files themselves, so any changes to the class are immediately reflected in the documentation—much easier than separately maintaining both code and documentation. Descriptions of methods and hints about class usage are invaluable not only for the client programmer but also for the class originator, especially when a few months have lapsed between creation of a class and its subsequent use. Class documentation can effortlessly incorporate internal comments as long as you simply pay a little attention to their format during coding.