How to load JAR files dynamically at Runtime?

Question

Why is it so hard to do this in Java? If you want to have any kind of module system you need to be able to load JAR files dynamically. I\'m told there\'s a way of doing it b

Answer 1

How about the JCL class loader framework? I have to admit, I haven't used it, but it looks promising.

Usage example:

JarClassLoader jcl = new JarClassLoader();
jcl.add("myjar.jar"); // Load jar file  
jcl.add(new URL("http://myserver.com/myjar.jar")); // Load jar from a URL
jcl.add(new FileInputStream("myotherjar.jar")); // Load jar file from stream
jcl.add("myclassfolder/"); // Load class folder  
jcl.add("myjarlib/"); // Recursively load all jar files in the folder/sub-folder(s)

JclObjectFactory factory = JclObjectFactory.getInstance();
// Create object of loaded class  
Object obj = factory.create(jcl, "mypackage.MyClass");