Loader (Apache Tomcat 7.0.104 API Documentation)

org.apache.catalina

## Interface Loader

- All Known Implementing Classes:
    VirtualWebappLoader, WebappLoader

      public interface Loader

  A Loader represents a Java ClassLoader implementation that can be used by a Container to load class files (within a repository associated with the Loader) that are designed to be reloaded upon request, as well as a mechanism to detect whether changes have occurred in the underlying repository.

  In order for a `Loader` implementation to successfully operate with a `Context` implementation that implements reloading, it must obey the following constraints:

  - Must implement `Lifecycle` so that the Context can indicate that a new class loader is required.
  - The `start()` method must unconditionally create a new `ClassLoader` implementation.
  - The `stop()` method must throw away its reference to the `ClassLoader` previously utilized, so that the class loader, all classes loaded by it, and all objects of those classes, can be garbage collected.
  - Must allow a call to `stop()` to be followed by a call to `start()` on the same `Loader` instance.
  - Based on a policy chosen by the implementation, must call the `Context.reload()` method on the owning `Context` when a change to one or more of the class files loaded by this class loader is detected.
  Author:
    Craig R. McClanahan

- - ### Method Summary

    Methods
    Modifier and Type | Method and Description
    --- | ---
    `void` | `addPropertyChangeListener(PropertyChangeListener listener)` Add a property change listener to this component.
    `void` | `addRepository(String repository)` Add a new repository to the set of repositories for this class loader.
    `void` | `backgroundProcess()` Execute a periodic task, such as reloading, etc.
    `String[]` | `findRepositories()`
    `ClassLoader` | `getClassLoader()`
    `Container` | `getContainer()`
    `boolean` | `getDelegate()`
    `String` | `getInfo()`
    `boolean` | `getReloadable()`
    `boolean` | `modified()` Has the internal repository associated with this Loader been modified, such that the loaded classes should be reloaded?
    `void` | `removePropertyChangeListener(PropertyChangeListener listener)` Remove a property change listener from this component.
    `void` | `setContainer(Container container)` Set the Container with which this Loader has been associated.
    `void` | `setDelegate(boolean delegate)` Set the "follow standard delegation model" flag used to configure our ClassLoader.
    `void` | `setReloadable(boolean reloadable)` Set the reloadable flag for this Loader.

- - ### Method Detail

    - #### backgroundProcess

          void backgroundProcess()

      Execute a periodic task, such as reloading, etc. This method will be invoked inside the classloading context of this container. Unexpected throwables will be caught and logged.

    - #### getClassLoader

          ClassLoader getClassLoader()

      Returns:
        the Java class loader to be used by this Container.

    - #### getContainer

          Container getContainer()

      Returns:
        the Container with which this Loader has been associated.

    - #### setContainer

          void setContainer(Container container)

      Set the Container with which this Loader has been associated.
      Parameters:
        `container` - The associated Container

    - #### getDelegate

          boolean getDelegate()

      Returns:
        the "follow standard delegation model" flag used to configure our ClassLoader.

    - #### setDelegate

          void setDelegate(boolean delegate)

      Set the "follow standard delegation model" flag used to configure our ClassLoader.
      Parameters:
        `delegate` - The new flag

    - #### getInfo

          String getInfo()

      Returns:
        descriptive information about this Loader implementation and the corresponding version number, in the format `<description>/<version>`.

    - #### getReloadable

          boolean getReloadable()

      Returns:
        the reloadable flag for this Loader.

    - #### setReloadable

          void setReloadable(boolean reloadable)

      Set the reloadable flag for this Loader.
      Parameters:
        `reloadable` - The new reloadable flag

    - #### addPropertyChangeListener

          void addPropertyChangeListener(PropertyChangeListener listener)

      Add a property change listener to this component.
      Parameters:
        `listener` - The listener to add

    - #### addRepository

          void addRepository(String repository)

      Add a new repository to the set of repositories for this class loader.
      Parameters:
        `repository` - Repository to be added

    - #### findRepositories

          String[] findRepositories()

      Returns:
        the set of repositories defined for this class loader. If none are defined, a zero-length array is returned.

    - #### modified

          boolean modified()

      Has the internal repository associated with this Loader been modified, such that the loaded classes should be reloaded?
      Returns:
        `true` when the repository has been modified, `false` otherwise

    - #### removePropertyChangeListener

          void removePropertyChangeListener(PropertyChangeListener listener)

      Remove a property change listener from this component.
      Parameters:
        `listener` - The listener to remove

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