MethodFilter (Spring Framework 3.2.1.RELEASE API)
Date: 2013-01-24

org.springframework.expression

## Interface MethodFilter

-     public interface MethodFilter

  MethodFilter instances allow SpEL users to fine tune the behaviour of the method resolution process. Method resolution (which translates from a method name in an expression to a real method to invoke) will normally retrieve candidate methods for invocation via a simple call to 'Class.getMethods()' and will choose the first one that is suitable for the input parameters. By registering a MethodFilter the user can receive a callback and change the methods that will be considered suitable.
  Since:
    3.0.1
  Author:
    Andy Clement

- - ### Method Summary

    Methods
    Modifier and Type | Method and Description
    --- | ---
    `List<Method>` | `filter(List<Method> methods)` Called by the method resolver to allow the SpEL user to organize the list of candidate methods that may be invoked.

- - ### Method Detail

    - #### filter

          List<Method> filter(List<Method> methods)

      Called by the method resolver to allow the SpEL user to organize the list of candidate methods that may be invoked. The filter can remove methods that should not be considered candidates and it may sort the results. The resolver will then search through the methods as returned from the filter when looking for a suitable candidate to invoke.
      Parameters:
        `methods` - the full list of methods the resolver was going to choose from
      Returns:
        a possible subset of input methods that may be sorted by order of relevance