Class Loading in Java: Building Dynamic Systems Without Pain

(3 Hour Session)
One of Java's greatest strengths is its flexible deployment model. In this session you will learn how Class Loaders facilitate deployment, and how to troubleshoot Java and J2EE Class Loading problems.

We will begin by looking at the basic class loading model provided by the java launcher, including the classpath, extensions path, and bootstrap path. Next, we will see how J2EE, Ant, browsers, and other container applications extend this model, using SecureClassLoader and URLClassLoader to dynamically load new classes at runtime. These techniques allows side-by-side deployment of multiple versions of the same class, and redeployment of changed classes without shutting down the Java virtual machine.Java's class loader architecture provides a dynamic and extensible mechanism for building applications. You will learn how to use class loaders to deploy multiple versions of classes side-by-side in the same JVM, and how to redeploy components withtout shutting down servers. You will also learn how to troubleshoot class loading problems such as inversion. You will learn to use the context class loader to correctly implement factory methods, and how to load non-code resources.

About Stuart Halloway

Stuart Halloway is a founder and President of Cognitect, Inc. (www.cognitect.com). He is a Clojure committer, and a developer of the Datomic database.

Stuart has spoken at a variety of industry events, including StrangeLoop, Clojure/conj, EuroClojure, ClojureWest, SpeakerConf, QCon, GOTO, OSCON, RailsConf, RubyConf, JavaOne, and NFJS.

Stuart has written a number of books and technical articles. Of these, he is most proud of Programming Clojure.

Learn more about Stu's presentations on his wiki.

More About Stuart »