What is the distinction between WLST online and offline?
You can use WLST online (connected to a running Administration Server or Managed Server instance) and offline (not connected to a running server). WLST online is used when you are connected to a running server and provides simplified access to Managed Beans (MBeans), WebLogic Server Java objects that you manage through JMX. Online, WLST provides access to information that is persisted as part of the internal representation of the configuration. WLST offline enables you to create a new domain or update an existing domain without connecting to a running WebLogic Server—supporting the same functionality as the Configuration Wizard. Offline, WLST only provides access to information that is persisted in the config directory.