Eclipse The deployment descriptor of the module 'xxx.war' cannot be loaded or found

Cause: Moved folders around

Solution: "Right click your dynamic web project -> Properties -> Deployment Assembly. In Web Deployment Assembly, change the package structure to reflect your change. That should work." (Eclipse deployment descriptor not found)

Cause: Upgraded RAD/Eclipse

Solution A: Add and remove the module in question in application.xml (http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21297984)

Solution B: Go into the file explorer and edit .settings/org.eclipse.wst.common.component file and make sure the dependent module is listed (https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/community/forums/html/topic?id=77777777-0000-0000-0000-000014042762)

Cause: The dependent project has errors

Solution: If the dependent project has errors, it will not be built into a WAR, hence can not be referenced.

Cause: Missing web.xml

Solution: This is a tricky one. A project with out web.xml won't show any errors (at least for me). But with out WEB-INF/web.xml file, it can't be regarded as a proper war file (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WAR_file_format_(Sun)). Adding web.xml solved the issue.

Cause: Wrong structure

Solution: make sure the war file is included in the ear file. (https://community.jboss.org/thread/162761?start=0&tstart=0&_sscc=t)

Cause: In correct facets

Solution: "You must have these facets:

  • Dynamic Web Module
  • Java
  • Websphere Web (Con-existence)
  • Websphere Web (Extended)

In addition, in your Build Path -> Libraries you should have these entries:

  • EAR Libraries
  • JRE System Library [IBM JDK]
  • Web App Libraries
  • Websphere Application Server [your-ver]" (http://stubbisms.wordpress.com/2007/11/26/deployment-descriptor-of-the-module-yourappplicationwar-cannot-be-loaded/)

Cause: Generic Eclipse Problem

Solution: From time to time eclipse just stuffs up for various irrelevant reasons. To fix this, close the project, reopen, clean and recompile. Or even try it in a new work space if all else fails. (http://stubbisms.wordpress.com/2007/11/26/deployment-descriptor-of-the-module-yourappplicationwar-cannot-be-loaded/)