The first reason I can think of is configuration files. I have one environment on my development box, another on the test deployment box and yet another on the final production server. Depending on the box I'm on I'm going to use different database URLs at a minimum and quite often I'm having to use different directories for temporary/permanent files depending on whether I'm on windows or unix. If I put those configure files into jar files I'd have to unjar the jars, change the files and then rejar the files again. It's much easier to leave those out of the jar files and have them in the classes folder where you can just go and edit them.
--mikej -=------ mike jackson [EMAIL PROTECTED] > -----Original Message----- > From: news [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of George Hester > Sent: Monday, March 01, 2004 5:46 PM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: The purpose of WEB-INF\classes ? > > This is not a question to fix a problem other then one in my head. I am > not sure what the difference is putting a jar in a \WEB-INF\lib and > setting up a \WEB-INF\classes. Since a jar usually just includes class > files if we put a jar in the webapp's \WEB-INF\lib what would be the > purpose of setting the tree of classes expanded in WEB-INF\classes? > > Let me give an example. In Tomcat 4.1.30 there is a server folder. Under > this exists webapps. And then under this are two folders admin and > manager. Looking at the admin webapp you will find its WEB-INF and under > that it has a lib and a classes folder. The lib folder contains just one > jar, ie: struts.jar. But the classes folder contains the tree of what > looks to me is the structure of a jar ie; org | apache | webapp | > admin| ... I am not sure if this is just an expanded struts.jar but it > looks to be. If not struts.jar then likely some other jar. > > So my question is what is the purpose of having an extracted jar structure > under a classes folder? I have made my own webapp but I do not have a > classes folder under that because I have yet to come across the purpose of > when it is necessary? Thanks. > > -- > George Hester > __________________________________ > > > --------------------------------------------------------------------- > To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
