Leveraging Elixir's Runtime Introspection for Safer Script Execution

The article explores how to develop a system for safely executing one-off data cleaning scripts in an Elixir application. It addresses the challenges of managing scattered scripts and manual queries, proposing a solution by utilizing Elixir's runtime introspection capabilities for dynamic code discovery. Sifoni details how to implement a self-registering system for script operations that reduces the risk of forgotten manual registrations and enhances automation. Specific patterns used for module filtering, behavior validation, and user interface generation are highlighted. Additionally, the post contrasts the author's approach with the Mix Tasks system, emphasizing the importance of UI definitions and callback behaviors for dynamically generated forms. The content also touches on the potential integration of LLM in script creation, indicating a forward-thinking approach to streamline and improve the development of such scripts.