WebSphere extensions classloader

The WebSphere extensions classloader loads the WebSphere run time. The WebSphere extensions classloader also loads resource provider classes into a server if an application module installed on the server refers to a resource that is associated with the provider and if the provider specifies the directory name of the resource drivers.

The WebSphere run time classloader loads the WebSphere run time (infrastructure). The classloader contents are defined by the ws.ext.dirs property, which should not be changed. Classes are loaded from the following locations, in the order listed:

  1. /QIBM/ProdData/WebASE/ASE5/classes
    This directory is used to provide iSeries changes to the core WebSphere Application Server - Express run time.
  2. /QIBM/ProdData/WebASE/ASE5/lib and /QIBM/ProdData/WebASE/ASE5/lib/server
    These directories contain the core WebSphere Application Server - Express run time.
  3. /QIBM/ProdData/WebASE/ASE5/lib/ext
    This directory contains extensions to the core WebSphere Application Server - Express run time.
  4. /QIBM/UserData/WebASE/ASE5/instance/lib/ext, where instance is the name of your WebSphere Application Server - Express instance
    This directory is maintained for compatibility with WebSphere Application Server Version 4. Utility libraries placed here can make use of the i5/OS Java Virtual Machine's direct execution mode. For more information on the direct execution mode, see Java execution modes.