Object invoke(Object target, String name, Object args[])
              throws Exception {
  Class at[] = getArgumentTypes(args);
  Class clazz = target.getClass();
  Method mems[] = clazz.getMethods();
  // find the most specific applicable method of clazz
  Method best = null;
  for (int i = 0; i < mems.length; i++) {
    if (!mems[i].getName().equals(name))  continue;
    Class pt[] = mems[i].getParameterTypes();
    if (isMoreSpecific(at, pt)) {
      // it's applicable (the name & param types match)
      if (best == null ||
	  isMoreSpecific(pt, best.getParameterTypes()))
	best = mems[i];
    }
  }
  // execute the chosen method
  return best.invoke(target, args);
}