title: Does a java agent run in a separate thread?
body: <p>I feel that this is something I should know, but does a java agent (specified with -javaagent) run in a separate thread? I've read that <a href="http://www.javalobby.org/java/forums/t19309.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">a Java agent is a pluggable library that runs embedded in a JVM and intercepts the classloading process</a>, but I want to make sure: does it really <em>intercept</em> them (which sounds like it's running in another thread and monitoring class loads) or is it notified by the JVM (the JVM invokes it to resolve the class load; there isn't a separate thread for it)?</p>
  
  <p>Again, I get the feeling that I should be able to figure it out, but be nice to me, I'm working too hard and my brain is kinda fried :P</p>
  
  <p>Thanks!</p>