The measurement principle for specular and mirror-like surface was discussed and the main algorithms and key points for shape reconstruction via gradient data were analyzed in general.The simulation and the experiment results demonstrated the precision of cross path integration techniques,Fourier transform integration and area wave-front reconstruction method.And the results prove that the area wave-front reconstruction method is not only very immune to high frequency noise,but also has excellent performance when dealing with complicated multi-connectivity surface and non-grid gradient data,which is more suitable for wave-front detection based on fringe reflection.