Class loader
A class loader is a JVM component that locates, loads, links, and defines classes, with the defining loader contributing to each class’s runtime identity.
100 Java Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
A class loader is a JVM component that locates, loads, and defines classes, with the defining loader contributing to a class's runtime identity.
- How it is used
- Diagnoses ClassCastException failures caused by duplicate class definitions in modular or plugin-based applications.
- How deep it goes
- Explains class identity, custom loading, parent-first delegation, and the resulting cast failure through a focused example.
- Examples
- Uses a second MyClass definition, instanceof, a cast, URLClassLoader, and the resulting exception message.
- What you can do after
- Diagnose loader-related cast failures and choose parent loaders more carefully when loading classes dynamically.
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Spring in Action, Sixth Edition
A class loader is a JVM component that loads Java classes and other resources into a running application.
- How it is used
- Uses class loaders to support faster automatic application restarts during development.
- How deep it goes
- Explains two class loaders and selective reloading, but stops short of JVM loading internals.
- Examples
- Uses changed Java code, property files, project resources, and dependency specifications to demonstrate reload behavior.
- What you can do after
- Diagnose why project edits reload automatically while dependency changes require a hard restart.
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Related concepts
- JVMuses · The Java Virtual Machine is an abstract runtime environment that executes Java bytecode and compatible compiled code according to defined execution semantics.
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