Loader (Apache Tomcat 7.0.67 API Documentation)

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(java.beans.PropertyChangeListener listener)` Add a property change listener to this component.
`void`	`addRepository(java.lang.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.
`java.lang.String[]`	`findRepositories()` Return the set of repositories defined for this class loader.
`java.lang.ClassLoader`	`getClassLoader()` Return the Java class loader to be used by this Container.
`Container`	`getContainer()` Return the Container with which this Loader has been associated.
`boolean`	`getDelegate()` Return the "follow standard delegation model" flag used to configure our ClassLoader.
`java.lang.String`	`getInfo()` Return descriptive information about this Loader implementation and the corresponding version number, in the format `<description>/<version>`.
`boolean`	`getReloadable()` Return the reloadable flag for this Loader.
`boolean`	`modified()` Has the internal repository associated with this Loader been modified, such that the loaded classes should be reloaded?
`void`	`removePropertyChangeListener(java.beans.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
```
java.lang.ClassLoader getClassLoader()
```
    Return the Java class loader to be used by this Container.
  - getContainer
```
Container getContainer()
```
    Return 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()
```
    Return 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
```
java.lang.String getInfo()
```
    Return descriptive information about this Loader implementation and the corresponding version number, in the format <description>/<version>.
  - getReloadable
```
boolean getReloadable()
```
    Return 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(java.beans.PropertyChangeListener listener)
```
    Add a property change listener to this component.
    
    Parameters:
    listener - The listener to add
  - addRepository
```
void addRepository(java.lang.String repository)
```
    Add a new repository to the set of repositories for this class loader.
    
    Parameters:
    repository - Repository to be added
  - findRepositories
```
java.lang.String[] findRepositories()
```
    Return 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?
  - removePropertyChangeListener
```
void removePropertyChangeListener(java.beans.PropertyChangeListener listener)
```
    Remove a property change listener from this component.
    
    Parameters:
    listener - The listener to remove

Interface Loader

Method Summary

Method Detail

backgroundProcess

getClassLoader

getContainer

setContainer

getDelegate

setDelegate

getInfo

getReloadable

setReloadable

addPropertyChangeListener

addRepository

findRepositories

modified

removePropertyChangeListener