Java Reflection: How to get the name of a variable?

Question

Using Java Reflection, is it possible to get the name of a local variable? For example, if I have this:

Foo b = new Foo();
Foo a = new Foo();
Foo r = new Fo         


        

Answer 1

It is not possible at all. Variable names aren't communicated within Java (and might also be removed due to compiler optimizations).

EDIT (related to comments):

If you step back from the idea of having to use it as function parameters, here's an alternative (which I wouldn't use - see below):

public void printFieldNames(Object obj, Foo... foos) {
    List fooList = Arrays.asList(foos);
    for(Field field : obj.getClass().getFields()) {
         if(fooList.contains(field.get()) {
              System.out.println(field.getName());
         }
    }
}

There will be issues if a == b, a == r, or b == r or there are other fields which have the same references.

EDIT now unnecessary since question got clarified