Java - Unloading classes

Question

I'm loading classes with the standard Java classloader:

ClassLoader loader = new MemoryClassLoader(s.toByteArray());
Class<?> myClass = loader.loadClass(className);

MemoryClassLoader is directly derived from ClassLoader and overrides the findClass()-method:

Override
protected Class<?> findClass(String name) throws ClassNotFoundException {
   return defineClass(name, byteArray, 0, byteArray.length);
}

What I would like to know is if it is needed to unload the loaded class somehow. Is there any unload()-method or something I've to call?

stackoverflow.com/questions/148681/unloading-classes-in-java — user3707125
– user3707125, Commented Jun 8, 2015 at 15:15
tl;dr Classes are garbage collected at the same time as their ClassLoader. You'll need more ClassLoader instances. — Tom Hawtin - tackline
– Tom Hawtin - tackline, Commented Jun 8, 2015 at 15:26

gavard.e · Accepted Answer · 2015-06-08 15:31:33Z

1

You don't have to unload or unallocate your classes. The Garbage Collector (aka GC) does all the unset stuffs for you.

answered Jun 8, 2015 at 15:31

gavard.e

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