Invocable (Java Platform SE 8 )
Keywords: javax.script.Invocable interface
Date: 2026-03-16

compact1, compact2, compact3
javax.script

## Interface Invocable

-     public interface Invocable

  The optional interface implemented by ScriptEngines whose methods allow the invocation of procedures in scripts that have previously been executed.
  Since:
    1.6

- - ### Method Summary

    All Methods Instance Methods Abstract Methods
    Modifier and Type | Method and Description
    --- | ---
    `<T> T` | `getInterface(Class<T> clasz)` Returns an implementation of an interface using functions compiled in the interpreter.
    `<T> T` | `getInterface(Object thiz, Class<T> clasz)` Returns an implementation of an interface using member functions of a scripting object compiled in the interpreter.
    `Object` | `invokeFunction(String name, Object... args)` Used to call top-level procedures and functions defined in scripts.
    `Object` | `invokeMethod(Object thiz, String name, Object... args)` Calls a method on a script object compiled during a previous script execution, which is retained in the state of the `ScriptEngine`.

- - ### Method Detail

    - #### invokeMethod

          Object invokeMethod(Object thiz,
                              String name,
                              Object... args)
                       throws ScriptException,
                              NoSuchMethodException

      Calls a method on a script object compiled during a previous script execution, which is retained in the state of the `ScriptEngine`.
      Parameters:
        `name` - The name of the procedure to be called.
        `thiz` - If the procedure is a member of a class defined in the script and thiz is an instance of that class returned by a previous execution or invocation, the named method is called through that instance.
        `args` - Arguments to pass to the procedure. The rules for converting the arguments to scripting variables are implementation-specific.
      Returns:
        The value returned by the procedure. The rules for converting the scripting variable returned by the script method to a Java Object are implementation-specific.
      Throws:
        `ScriptException` - if an error occurs during invocation of the method.
        `NoSuchMethodException` - if method with given name or matching argument types cannot be found.
        `NullPointerException` - if the method name is null.
        `IllegalArgumentException` - if the specified thiz is null or the specified Object is does not represent a scripting object.

    - #### invokeFunction

          Object invokeFunction(String name,
                                Object... args)
                         throws ScriptException,
                                NoSuchMethodException

      Used to call top-level procedures and functions defined in scripts.
      Parameters:
        `name` - of the procedure or function to call
        `args` - Arguments to pass to the procedure or function
      Returns:
        The value returned by the procedure or function
      Throws:
        `ScriptException` - if an error occurs during invocation of the method.
        `NoSuchMethodException` - if method with given name or matching argument types cannot be found.
        `NullPointerException` - if method name is null.

    - #### getInterface

          <T> T getInterface(Class<T> clasz)

      Returns an implementation of an interface using functions compiled in the interpreter. The methods of the interface may be implemented using the `invokeFunction` method.
      Type Parameters:
        `T` - the type of the interface to return
      Parameters:
        `clasz` - The `Class` object of the interface to return.
      Returns:
        An instance of requested interface - null if the requested interface is unavailable, i. e. if compiled functions in the `ScriptEngine` cannot be found matching the ones in the requested interface.
      Throws:
        `IllegalArgumentException` - if the specified `Class` object is null or is not an interface.

    - #### getInterface

          <T> T getInterface(Object thiz,
                             Class<T> clasz)

      Returns an implementation of an interface using member functions of a scripting object compiled in the interpreter. The methods of the interface may be implemented using the `invokeMethod` method.
      Type Parameters:
        `T` - the type of the interface to return
      Parameters:
        `thiz` - The scripting object whose member functions are used to implement the methods of the interface.
        `clasz` - The `Class` object of the interface to return.
      Returns:
        An instance of requested interface - null if the requested interface is unavailable, i. e. if compiled methods in the `ScriptEngine` cannot be found matching the ones in the requested interface.
      Throws:
        `IllegalArgumentException` - if the specified `Class` object is null or is not an interface, or if the specified Object is null or does not represent a scripting object.

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