[Overview][Constants][Types][Classes][Procedures and functions][Index] | Reference for unit 'typinfo' (#rtl)

# Reference for unit 'typinfo'

Access Run-Time Type Information (RTTI)

`uses`
`System,` |  | The system unit
`sysutils;` |  | Various system utilities.

## Overview

The TypeInfo unit contains many routines which can be used for the querying of the Run-Time Type Information (RTTI) which is generated by the compiler for classes that are compiled under the {$M+} switch. This information can be used to retrieve or set property values for published properties for totally unknown classes. In particular, it can be used to stream classes. The TPersistent class in the Classes unit is compiled in the {$M+} state and serves as the base class for all classes that need to be streamed.

The unit should be compatible to the Delphi 5 unit with the same name. The only calls that are still missing are the Variant calls, since Free Pascal does not support the variant type yet.

The examples in this chapter use a rttiobj auxiliary unit, which contains an object that has a published property for all supported types. It also contains some auxiliary routines and definitions. This unit is included in the documentation sources, in the directory typinfex.

## Related topics

`AuxiliaryTypinfo` |  | Auxiliary functions
`ManipulatePropValues` |  | Getting or setting property values
`ExaminePropInfo` |  | Examining published property information

Documentation generated on: Feb 26 2014