Accessing private properties and methods using PHP's reflection

ReflectionDemo.php

<?php
/**
 * Please be aware that private properties are private for good purpose,
 * changing it during runtime so is only OK during Unit Testing for example.
 * So use this only if you're knowing what you're doing :)
 */



	class BareDemoClass() {
		protected $interestingThing = 42;

		protected function niceButPrivateMethod() {
			return "DNA N47°16' E11°23'";
		}
	}

		// during usual use, you'd have both the bare class and $instanciatedClass available 
	$instanciatedClass = new BareDemoClass();


	$reflectedProperty = new \ReflectionProperty('BareDemoClass', 'interestingThing');
	$reflectedProperty->setAccessible(TRUE);
		// 42
	echo $reflectedProperty->getValue($instanciatedClass);

	$reflectedMethod = new \ReflectionMethod('BareDemoClass', 'niceButPrivateMethod');
	$reflectedMethod->setAccessible(TRUE);
		// DNA N47°16' E11°23'
	echo $reflectedMethod->invoke($instanciatedClass);
	
	
		// you could also get the reflected property or method using the object itself:
	$reflectedObject = new \ReflectionObject($instanciatedClass);
	$reflectedProperty = $reflectedObject->getProperty('interestingThing');
		// continue like above; or
	$reflectedMethod = $reflectedObject->getMethod('niceButPrivateMethod');
?>

passing the instanciated class as parameter of ->getValue() or ->invoke() seems a bit weird because it doesn't match the reading style you may be used to; but consider it giving the Reflection the correct context.
Just regard the reflected methods and properties at first being "anonymous" and not bound to a specific object, but only class. Getting a value requires that object context, and with the passed parameter you give it.