Understanding CLASSPATH

[vk101]

Can somebody please outline the CLASSPATH issues relating to JBoss?

For example, what is the difference between the JBOSS_CLASSPATH set by JBoss's run.sh script, and the CLASSPATH environment variable? Is there any overlap, which one does JBoss use, etc...

Also, run.sh appends JBOSS_CLASSPATH to JAVAC_JAR and JBOSS_BOOT_CLASSPATH. In what cases would a JBOSS_CLASSPATH already exist and to what would it point?

Finally, for a given class within an archive (EAR, JAR, or WAR), what overarching "classpath" is used when searching for a .properties file or another class? And how does this "classpath" relate to and differ from the CLASSPATH and JBOSS_CLASSPATH described above?

I'm quite confused, and would appreciate clarification. Thank you.

[starksm64]

Don't use any form of CLASSPATH setting.
http://wiki.jboss.org/wiki/Wiki.jsp?page=ClassLoadingOverview

[vk101]

That raised more questions than it answered...I've got a lot to learn... (By the way, I'm asking these questions because I'd like to learn, not because I can't get something specific to work.)

In addition to my classpath questions above, your link pointed out that an archive's MANIFEST.MF file can have a classpath setting. How do the JBOSS_CLASSPATH, the MANIFEST.MF classpath, and the archive's /classes and /lib directories which are automatically added to the classpath, all work together?

And how are conflicts resolved (where a class with the same package and name is specified in multiple places where classpaths can be specified)?

A lot of questions, but a complicated matter (for me, at least) nonetheless.

Thanks.

[starksm64]

Read this until its clear:
http://wiki.jboss.org/wiki/Wiki.jsp?page=JBossClassLoadingUseCases