Java Native Interface

Documentation Contents

Java^TM Native Interface (JNI) is a standard programming interface for writing Java native methods and embedding the Java^TM virtual machine* into native applications. The primary goal is binary compatibility of native method libraries across all Java virtual machine implementations on a given platform.

The Java 2 SDK supports the old native method interface (NMI) only when using the classic virtual machine. NMI was originally implemented in Java Development Kit (JDK^TM) 1.0. The old NMI is not part of the Java platform standard, and programmers are strongly encouraged to migrate their existing NMI code to the JNI.

• AWT Native Interface
• JNI Enhancements in v 1.2
(Clarified June 2001)

• JNI Enhancements in v 1.4

• JNI 1.1 Specification

• The Java Tutorial has a trail on the Java Native Interface:
  Java Native Interface Tutorial

• For JNI FAQs and information about the book The Java Native Interface: Programmer's Guide and Specification, see this document on the Java Software website:
  Java Native Interface Tips

*As used on this web site, the terms "Java virtual machine" or "JVM" mean a virtual machine for the Java platform.

Copyright © 2002 Sun Microsystems, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Please send comments to: jni@java.sun.com