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How do I dynamically load/unload Component (jar file) in my java application?

My Application demands some components (jar files) to be loaded/unloaded dynamically on request. For example, I have module1.jar and module2.jar etc and on demand my application should be able to load/unload module1.jar or module2.jar files or both. Could you guys please help me with any java code example of load/unload jar files dynamically (i.e. without restarting the server). Again, please I need sample code for doing this.

Thanks in advance for your help.

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CEHJ

Loading modules is in the offing for the coming version of Java, but for now, you can load classes dynamically by calling Class.forName or using an explicit classloader. You can keep your classes in jars and they can be either in or out of the classpath. If the latter, load them with a JarURLConnection

ysnky

http://www.theserverside.com/discussions/thread.tss?thread_id=14913
http://forum.java.sun.com/thread.jspa?threadID=722227

CEHJ

On that last point, see

http://www.exampledepot.com/egs/java.lang/LoadClass.html

CEHJ

Sorry - i meant URLClassLoader not JarURLConnection

shilpa_rajith

ASKER

Thanks a lot for you quick response and sorry for not very descriptive on the question. First, the jar file can be of the same module but diff. versions. i.e. I want to unload Module1.jar version 1 and load latest of the same module say Module1.jar version 2. Second, How to unload a jar file?
Google search returned "Apache Felix OSGi" framework. I never used this. Did you guys ever used this framework? Please provide some code example as It will help me implement it fast.

Thanks a lot in advance.

ysnky

may be these links make inspire;
http://blog.taragana.com/index.php/archive/how-to-unload-java-class
http://forum.java.sun.com/thread.jspa?threadID=777488&messageID=4425194

Mick Barry

to unload a jar you need to delete the classloader used to load (thus do not use the system classloader)

http://site.red-illusions.dk/2006/11/04/simple-dynamic-loadingunloading-of-code/

shilpa_rajith

ASKER

Hi Guys,

Sorry for getting back on this late.

What I want here is, Instead of placing a JAR file in lib folder of a webapp, the app should be able to load it dynamically and entire application should be able to refer to it. I want to achieve the same effect of having a JAR file in lib folder of a webapp but dynamically.

Thanks a lot in advance.

shilpa_rajith

ASKER

Thanks a lot to all experts for sending in your responses. I am closing this as I couldn't find an appropriate answer to my question. Probably I will post the question again more clearly may be with example.
Thanks all again.

CEHJ

>>I am closing this as I couldn't find an appropriate answer to my question.

All the answers look pretty relevant to me ;-)

shilpa_rajith

ASKER

Dear CEHJ,

I am not sure how to achieve the requirement i posted on 12.28.2007. i.e get the effect of placing a jar file in lib folder.
e.g. i want to load a jar file in a method say loadJarFile(String jarfilename) and refer to the classes in it in another method (in diff. package) say useClassOfJarFile() method without referring to the URLClassloader object created in loadJarFile() method. Other way of saying is, instead of placing a jar file in lib folder of a webapp, I want to load it dynamically and refer to its classes anywhere in the app. how to achieve this?

Thanks,
Rajith

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

CEHJ

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shilpa_rajith

ASKER

Thanks a lot for the responses. Sorry, I didn't find proper solution to my request. I would like to close/delete this question and would consider putting new one. Thanks again.

CEHJ

shilpa_rajith, you should realize how this site works. You have had a lot of help from experts on this question. The fact that you don't like the answers is not really relevant. The answer 'it can't be done' IS AN ANSWER