How does class loading work? What is the system class loader? What is the effect of two classes, with the same fully qualified name, existing on the classpath? What does it even mean to load a class?

In Java, the Class Loader is a component of the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) responsible for loading class files into memory. The class loader dynamically loads classes when they're first referenced ...

Q: When should I use Thread.getContextClassLoader() ? Why do thread context classloaders exist in the first place? They were introduced in J2SE without much fanfare. A certain lack of proper guidance ...

The packaging mechanisms defined in Chapter 8 of the J2EE 1.3 specification provide a framework for pulling together all the pieces of a J2EE application. However, application server vendors are free ...