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| |
| = Class Files vs. Signature Files |
| :page-layout: wikimenu |
| :page-tags: wiki, devfaq, needsreview |
| :jbake-status: published |
| :keywords: Apache NetBeans wiki JavaHT ClassFilesVsSignatureFiles |
| :description: Apache NetBeans wiki JavaHT ClassFilesVsSignatureFiles |
| :toc: left |
| :toc-title: |
| :page-syntax: true |
| :page-aliases: ROOT:wiki/JavaHT_ClassFilesVsSignatureFiles.adoc |
| |
| Although the previous text spoke about loading class files, the IDE does not use true class files much. When a file is compiled by the IDE, the result is not a class file, but rather a "signature" file. These files contain specification of classes and signatures of their members. The main differences between class files and signature files are: |
| |
| * the signature files do not contain method bodies |
| * the signature files do contain annotations with RetentionPolicy.SOURCE |
| * the signature files do contain parameter names (which are stored only as part of the debug information into the class files) |
| |
| The format of the signature files is subject of change at any time, as it is used only to create the IDE's caches. |
| |
| NOTE: for most purposes, it is not important if an Element has been load from the class file or from the signature file. |
