Ferret is a class path scanning API for the Java platform. Unlike previous class path scanning APIs, Ferret does not restrict scanning to only certain types or force developers to learn a complicated and constricting query language. Instead, Ferret applies the Visitor pattern to allow developers to quickly develop powerful filters that can scan for anything (e.g. properties files, xml, images, video, etc). Ferret even allows developers to modify files (including Java class files) on the fly. It can also scan for files and classes across the network.

The fact that Ferret is lightweight, dynamic, fast and easy to use is just icing on the cake. ;-)