ClasspathInspector

ClasspathInspector is a Java utility designed to help developers understand and debug their Java classpath. It allows users to list all JAR files and directories present on the classpath, along with their contents. This can be particularly useful when encountering issues related to missing classes, duplicate classes, or incorrect resource loading.

The primary function of ClasspathInspector is to provide a detailed view of what is available to the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) at runtime. It can be invoked from the command line, making it accessible without needing to modify existing application code. The output typically includes the full path to each classpath entry and, for JAR files, a list of the classes and resources contained within.

By visualizing the classpath, developers can quickly identify potential conflicts or dependencies that might be causing runtime errors. For instance, if a class is expected but not found, ClasspathInspector can confirm whether the JAR containing that class is actually present and accessible. Similarly, if multiple versions of the same class exist on the classpath, ClasspathInspector can help pinpoint these duplicates, which often lead to unexpected behavior. The tool is generally considered a valuable debugging aid for complex Java projects.