Java™ Native Interface: Programmer's Guide and Specification [Paperback]

Sheng Liang (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0201325772 | ISBN-13: 978-0201325775 | Publication Date: June 20, 1999 | Edition: 1

The Java Native Interface (JNI) enables the integration of code written in the Java programming language with code written in other languages such as C and C++. It allows programmers to take full advantage of the Java platform without having to abandon their investment in legacy code. This book is the definitive resource and a comprehensive guide to working with the JNI. Entirely up-to-date, the book offers a tutorial, a detailed description of JNI features and programming techniques, JNI design justifications, and the official specification for all JNI types and functions. You will find coverage of important topics such as: *Writing native methods *Passing data types between the Java language and native programming languages *Embedding a Java virtual machine implementation in native applications *Leveraging legacy native libraries *Improving the efficiency and reliability of your code An entire chapter is devoted to avoiding common traps and pitfalls. The book uses numerous examples to illustrate programming techniques that have proven to be effective. 0201325772B04062001

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Written for the experienced Java developer, The Java Native Interface documents the latest in native code programming for the Java platform using the Java Native Interface (JNI) with C/C++. Author Sheng Liang built the book around "dos and don'ts," even specifying within the introduction when you should and when you should not use JNI. Though sometimes densely written, this title certainly conveys a good deal of technical information on using native code with Java.

After a simple JNI "Hello World" code example, this book explores multiple aspects of the JNI API, starting with the use of Java strings and arrays within native code. Liang follows by transitioning into calling Java members and methods in C/C++. Here the author presents caching strategies for improving the performance of native code that interacts with or executes Java programs, including a discussion of local and global references that incorporates global weak references in Java 2.

The book also looks at handling exceptions within C/C++ code, as well as tips for working with Java threads. The author shows how to simplify access to C/C++ code through shared stubs and how to use peer classes to encapsulate native code from within Java. A section on common traps and pitfalls lists some common pitfalls to avoid when working with the JNI. After presenting the JNI specification, the author provides the most immediately useful text in the book--over 100 pages of reference material listing JNI data types and methods.

As a reference and programming guide, The Java Native Interface provides concise and timely technical details on getting Java and C/C++ code to coexist within your projects. --Richard Dragan

From the Back Cover

The Java Native Interface (JNI) enables the integration of code written in the Java programming language with code written in other languages such as C and C++. It allows programmers to take full advantage of the Java platform without having to abandon their investment in legacy code.

This book is the definitive resource and a comprehensive guide to working with the JNI. Entirely up-to-date, the book offers a tutorial, a detailed description of JNI features and programming techniques, JNI design justifications, and the official specification for all JNI types and functions.

You will find coverage of important topics such as:

• Writing native methods
• Passing data types between the Java language and native programming languages
• Embedding a Java virtual machine implementation in native applications
• Leveraging legacy native libraries
• Improving the efficiency and reliability of your code

An entire chapter is devoted to avoiding common traps and pitfalls. The book uses numerous examples to illustrate programming techniques that have proven to be effective.

0201325772B04062001

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 1 edition (June 20, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0201325772
• ISBN-13: 978-0201325775
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #621,846 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Dont Buy this Book It is Freely Available on the Java Site, April 1, 2002

By 

Vamsi P. (Redmond, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Java™ Native Interface: Programmer's Guide and Specification (Paperback)

This is book is very handy if you are programming for JNI. I went and bought this book but later found that is free on the Sun's Java site.... So buy it only if you need a paper copy. If you are ok with a PDF or html copy goto sun's website to get it.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book but do not buy it. It is available FREE from SUN., April 25, 2003

By 

"jpante" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Java™ Native Interface: Programmer's Guide and Specification (Paperback)

The reason I write this comment is that I was suprised
that this book is available in electronic form, free
of charge from Sun website.
As far as I read the book, it is quite good but I did not
test anything. I probably will in my summer project and I will
inform you if what the Native Interface promised , did
finally work.
Anyway the Sun website for the book is :

[website]

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for JNI users, June 11, 1999

By 

Rajiv Mirani (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Java™ Native Interface: Programmer's Guide and Specification (Paperback)

This is an excellent book! Liang provides short, illustrative, and useful examples as well as helpful tips for the JNI user. The presentation is extremely clear, with no fluff. This book is more informative than any existing material on JNI I know of. It offers a gentle introduction for the novice as well as technical depth for the expert. I particularly like the level of insight that only the designer and architect of the JNI can provide. My favorite programming technique is "shared stubs," beats J/Direct.