title: How does Java EE application server find the classpath?
body: <p>Are <code>.classpath</code> and <code>.project</code> files as created by Eclipse, only used by Eclipse internally? Are these files being used by JDK? How do Java EE application servers find classes and path? </p>
  
  <p>In between, when I create the ear, war using <code>ant</code>, I will use <code>ant</code> options to look out for the libraries for the project compilation.</p>
  
  <p>Then does the application server use <code>.classpath</code> for compilation?</p>