Explicit vs Implicit class loading

There are two ways to load class.

a. Implicit class loading

Implicit class loading occurs when a class is loaded as result of a reference, instantiation, or inheritance.

b. Explicit class loading

Explicit class loading occurs when a class is loaded by using 'loadClass()' method of ClassLoader class or using 'forName()' of class java.lang.Class. If the class is already loaded, then a reference is simply returned

b.1 Load Class using loadClass()

public class Employee {
    int id;
    String firstName, lastName;
    
    Employee(int id, String firstName, String lastName){
        this.id = id;
        this.firstName = firstName;
        this.lastName = lastName;
    }
}

public class LoadClass {
    public static void main(String args[]) throws ClassNotFoundException{
        ClassLoader cl = ClassLoader.getSystemClassLoader();
        Class myClass = cl.loadClass("Employee");
        
        System.out.println(myClass.getName());
    }
}

Output

Employee

b.2 Load Class using forName ()

public class LoadClass {
    public static void main(String args[]) throws ClassNotFoundException{
        Class myClass = Class.forName("Employee");        
        System.out.println(myClass.getName());
    }
}

Output

Employee

Prevoius                                                 Next                                                 Home