Awesome

Runtime TypeCache

Extends Unity's UnityEditor.TypeCache class to support the editor and builds through a singular API.

It's important to note that Runtime TypeCache does not bypass reflection. It simply caches specific paths to ensure that the minimal amount of reflection calls are ever needed.

Installing

You can install Runtime TypeCache via the "Install package from git URL..." option in Unity's Package Manager using the following URL:

https://github.com/thebeardphantom/Runtime-TypeCache.git?path=Packages/com.beardphantom.runtime-typecache

What is it?

The Runtime TypeCache system is designed to give you the same access to information that you get through Unity's editor-only TypeCache API:

• GetFieldsWithAttribute
• GetMethodsWithAttribute
• GetTypesWithAttribute
• GetTypesDerivedFrom

In addition, Runtime TypeCache also provides GetPropertiesWithAttribute. Please note that accessing property information uses slower behavior in the editor only, as this data is not generated and cached until build-time.

How to use

Using Runtime TypeCache is fairly straightforward:

• If you use the TypeCacheTarget attribute on a class that inherits from Attribute it will populate the TypeCache with reflection paths for any TypeCache function ending with WithAttribute.
• If you use the TypeCacheTarget attribute on a class that does not inherit from Attribute it will populate the TypeCache with reflection paths for GetTypesDerivedFrom.

To access reflection information in the editor or in a build you can use the singular GlobalTypeCache class.

Under the Hood

In the editor, the methods in GlobalTypeCache forward (almost) everything to the built-in UnityEditor.TypeCache.

When making a build, a SerializedTypeCacheAsset is generated, which contains all the information necessary to populate a runtime version of the TypeCache with a minimal amount of reflection. During runtime, GlobalTypeCache will then forward all method calls to this generated version of the TypeCache.

Debugging

When you make a build a SerializedTypeCacheAsset is generated in your Assets directory, temporarily added to the PlayerSettings Preloaded Assets, then deleted and cleaned up once the build process is completed. A copy of this asset, as well as a version in JSON format, is stored in your project's Temp folder (this folder is deleted when the Editor closes). You can use this to inspect the TypeCache generated for the last build to debug its contents.