JAR Class Finder is a plug-in utility for Rational® Application Developer, WebSphere® Integration Developer, and Eclipse. This plug-in finds Java™ Archive (JAR) files containing a given class for the Java build path of a project and helps fix NoClassDefFound exceptions. JAR Class Finder helps users to quickly and easily resolve ClassDefNotFound exceptions, which commonly occur during run time. It can also be used to avoid getting such errors if used before run time.

How does it work?

The user enters the name of the class not found (or the name of the class that the Java project needs to access). The plug-in will search the selected directory (and subdirectories) for JAR files containing that class.

All results are displayed in a table in a custom view. The user can then browse this table and select the JAR file to add to his Java project's build path. The user then right-clicks on the entry in the table and, from the context menu, selects the build path to which to add it.

JAR Class Finder checks for errors in order to make sure that the JAR file can be correctly added to the build path; if the error-checking is successful, JAR Class Finder will add the file. If unsuccessful, JAR Class Finder will explain why.

For installation and usage instructions, please see the Download tab.

Kieran Scott is a solution test specialist working for IBM's® Hursley Solution Test Center. He has been specializing in Java Web service development and testing using WebSphere Studio Application Developer tools.

Stephen Willoughby is also a solution test specialist working for the Hursley Solution Test Center. He joined IBM in 2000 as a student for 15 months before returning as a full-time employee in 2002. During this time, Mr. Willoughby has developed software using IBM's WebSphere Studio Application Developer and WebSphere Studio Application Developer IE tools.