Computing Dictionary
Java archive definition
file format, filename extension (jar) A compressed
archive file containing
Java class files, filename extension: ".jar". The
Java Development Kit contains a tool called "jar" for creating .jar files, similar to the standard
Unix tar command. As well as archiving and compressing the Java class files, it also inserts a "manifest" file which can contain information about the class files, such as a
digital signature. Combining class files into a single archive file makes it possible to download them in a single
HTTP transaction. This, and the
compression, speeds up execution of Java programs delivered via the
Internet.
(2001}-02-03)
