Class loader collection

Manage class-loader instances on an application server. A class loader determines whether an application class loader or a parent class loader finds and loads Java class files for an application.

From the admin console, click...

        Servers > Server Types > WebSphere application servers > server > Java and Process Management > Class loader.

Class loader ID

Specifies a string that is unique to the server identifying the class-loader instance. The product assigns the identifier.

Class loader order

Specifies whether the class loader searches in the parent class loader or in the application class loader first to load a class. The standard for development kit class loaders and WebSphere Application Server class loaders is Classes loaded with parent class loader first (Parent first). By specifying Classes loaded with local class loader first (Parent last), the application can override classes contained in the parent class loader, but this action can potentially result in ClassCastException or LinkageErrors if we have mixed use of overridden classes and non-overridden classes.

Related:

Class loaders

Class loading

Class loader settings