what is bootstrap classloader in java
What is ClassLoader in Java. ClassLoader in Java is a class which is used to load class files in Java. Java code is compiled into class file by javac compiler and JVM executes Java program, by executing byte codes written in class file. ClassLoader is responsible for loading class files from file system, network or any other source. There are three default class loader used in Java, Bootstrap, Extension and System or Application class loader. Every class loader has a predefined location, from where they loads class files. Bootstrap ClassLoader is responsible for loading standard JDK class files from rt.jar and it is parent of all class loaders in Java. Bootstrap class loader don't have any parents, if you call String.class.getClassLoader() it will return null and any code based on that may throw NullPointerException in Java.