Java(TM) Native Interface: Programmer's Guide and Specification (Java Series) (Paperback)

by Sheng Liang (Author)

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

Product Description
The complete tutorial, programming guide, and reference for JNI, the interface which facilitates the integration of Java with existing C and C++ code.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall PTR (June 20, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0201325772
• ISBN-13: 978-0201325775
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.2 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.com Sales Rank: #121,314 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

• This item is part of The Java Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 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 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.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good examples, concise approach, May 27, 2000

By	Nick Bauman (Minneapolis) - See all my reviews

I had to integrate our company's distributed Java component-based application with a vendor's C/C++ - only libraries. My C++ skills had gotten pretty rusty and so I bought the Gordon JNI book and was really disappointed.

I then bought this book and was much happier with its examples and approach than the Gordon book. While the other reviewers in this page cited that they thought the book was bad or the examples didn't compile, they may be justified, but since they have only to choose from this and the Gordon book on JNI, I think they will find this book is far clearer and more concise.

What's more is that it's terse enough that you can get the whole book read during the course of a 3 week project.

And as far as the author having a bias towards Java is concerned: Duh.

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	PANTELIDIS IOANNIS (Greece) - See all my reviews

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]