Java Native Interface (JNI) in depth from Udemy

What's inside

Learning objectives

How to work with java native interface (jni)

Mixed java/c++ development

How to work with java native interface (jni)
Mixed java/c++ development

Syllabus

Introduction

Introduction to Java Native Interface (JNI)

Setting Up GNU C++ Compiler

In this section, I discuss how to setup the mixed Java/C++ development in NetBeans IDE and how to create dynamic libraries.

Note on Netbeans 8

Installing C/C++ Plugin for Apache Netbeans 13

Windows: Installing C/C++ Plugin for Apache Netbeans 13

A Simple Java/C++ Project in NetBeans IDE

A Closer Look at JNI Header Files

In this section, I discuss how to setup the mixed Java/C++ development in Eclipse IDE.

Setting up C/C++ Development in Eclipse IDE

Configuring External Tool to Generate Header Files

Configuring External Tool for JDK 9 or Later

Exporting Java Project to jar File With Dynamic Libraries

In this section, I discuss the most important concepts you need to learn in order to do mixed Java/C++ development.

Overloading Native Methods

Overriding Native Methods

Signature of Overloaded Native Methods in C++ (Part 1)

Signature of Overloaded Native Methods in C++ (Part 2)

Order of Execution for Static Initializers in the Class Hierarchy

Working with JNI Primitive Types

Working with Primitive Arrays

Working with Object Arrays

Working with Strings

In this section, I discuss some of the advanced features of JNI including the callback functionality.

Accessing Instance Fields of a Java Class in C/C++

Accessing Static Fields of a Java Class in C/C++

Setting Fields of Java Class in C++

Local Caching of Field IDs in C++

Global Caching of Field IDs in C++

Calling Instance Methods of a Java Class in C/C++

Calling Static Methods of a Java Class in C/C++

Calling Methods of a Java Interface in C++

Creating and Returning Java Objects from C++ Code

In this section, I walk you through how to use JNI to link against a C++ library such as GNU Scientific Library.

Downloading and Installing GNU Scientific Library (GSL)

A Simple Example of Java/C++ Library Linking

Working with Boxed Primitives (Wrappers) and List in C++

In this section, I discuss some features of JNI that are not typically used under normal circumstances.

Nonvirtual Call of Methods of a Java Class in C++

Linking Against Static C++ Libraries

Working with Generic (Parameterized) Methods

Working with Generic (Template) Classes

Working with Java Reflection API (Method & Field) in C++

Working with Java Constants (static final) in C++

Using Fortran Libraries

In this section, I discuss how to instantiate inner classes and implement their native methods in C++

Generating Header files for Nested Inner Classes

Instantiating Nested Inner Classes in C++

Implementing Native Methods of Inner Classes

Implementing Native Methods of Method-Local Inner Classes

Implementing Native Methods of Anonymous Classes

In this section, I discuss how to work with native resources such as native input file streams and output file streams.

Managing Native Resources with JNI

Resolving Native File Stream Conflicts

Working with Standard Input

Working with Standard Output

In this section, I discuss how to detect and handle java exceptions in C++ when developing JNI applications

Handling Java Exceptions

In this section, I discuss several useful tips about JNI.

The "auto" Keyword in C++

Don't Locally Cache jclass When Creating New Objects in C++

JNI Development on Windows Operating System

C++ Debug vs. Release Compilation Mode

Working with Maven Build

Distributing C++ Source Code of JNI Project

JNI Development on Linux Operating System

Regular vs. Critical Access to Primitive Arrays in C++

Regular vs. Critical Access to Java Strings in C++

Creating and Working With an "Unsafe" Class

The Power of "RegisterNatives" Function of JNI

Working with JNI Without Creating Any Header Files

Solving the Refactoring Problem Once and For All

Using JAR files in C++

Understanding javap tool

C++ Classes and Structs in Java

In this section, I walk you through the online Oracle's documentation on Java Native Interface (JNI)

Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter 2: Design Overview -- Part 1

Chapter 2: Design Overview -- Part 2

Chapter 3: JNI Types and Data Structures

Chapter 4: JNI Functions -- Part 1

Chapter 4: JNI Functions -- Part 2

Chapter 4: JNI Functions -- Part 3

Chapter 4: JNI Functions -- Part 4

Chapter 4: JNI Functions -- Part 5

Chapter 4: JNI Functions -- Part 6

Chapter 4: JNI Functions -- Part 7

Chapter 4: JNI Functions -- Part 8

In this section, I review a useful online article about best practices when using JNI. The link to the article is: https://developer.ibm.com/languages/java/articles/j-jni/#

Best Practices of JNI -- Part 1

Best Practices of JNI -- Part 2

Best Practices of JNI -- Part 3

Best Practices of JNI -- Part 4

Best Practices of JNI -- Part 5

Best Practices of JNI -- Part 6

Best Practices of JNI -- Part 7

Best Practices of JNI -- Part 8

Resources (Source Codes, PowerPoints, References, ...)

Java Source Code

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Java Native Interface (JNI) in depth with these activities:

Review C++ Fundamentals

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Solidify your understanding of C++ fundamentals, as JNI involves writing C++ code to interact with Java.

Browse courses on C++

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Review data types, pointers, and memory management in C++.
Practice writing and compiling simple C++ programs.
Familiarize yourself with C++ classes and object-oriented programming concepts.

Read 'C++ Primer' by Lippman, Lajoie, and Moo

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Deepen your understanding of C++ to write more effective native code for JNI.

View C++ Primer on Amazon

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Read the chapters relevant to memory management, pointers, and object-oriented programming.
Practice writing C++ code that interacts with Java through JNI.

Read 'Effective Java' by Joshua Bloch

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Improve your Java coding practices to ensure seamless integration with native C++ code.

View Effective Java (3rd Edition) on Amazon

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Read and understand the key principles outlined in 'Effective Java'.
Apply the best practices to your Java code, especially when working with JNI.

Four other activities

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Practice JNI Examples

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Reinforce your understanding of JNI concepts by working through practical examples.

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Find JNI example code online or in textbooks.
Compile and run the examples to observe their behavior.
Modify the examples to experiment with different JNI features.

Write a JNI Tutorial

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Solidify your knowledge by explaining JNI concepts to others.

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Choose a specific JNI topic to focus on.
Research the topic thoroughly and gather relevant information.
Write a clear and concise tutorial with code examples.
Publish the tutorial on a blog or share it with other learners.

Build a Java App with Native Image Processing

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Apply your JNI skills to a real-world project involving image processing.

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Choose an image processing library written in C++.
Create a Java application that uses JNI to call the C++ library.
Implement image processing functionality in the C++ library.
Test the application and optimize performance.

Contribute to a JNI-based Open Source Project

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Gain practical experience and learn from experienced developers by contributing to an open-source project that uses JNI.

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Find an open-source project that uses JNI and aligns with your interests.
Study the project's codebase and identify areas where you can contribute.
Submit bug fixes, improvements, or new features to the project.

Career center

Learners who complete Java Native Interface (JNI) in depth will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Performance Engineer

A Performance Engineer analyzes and optimizes the performance of software systems. This course may be useful in understanding how to use Java Native Interface can be invaluable in optimizing Java applications by leveraging C++ for performance-critical tasks. The course covers bundling Java code with C++ dynamic libraries and linking against existing native libraries. Understanding JNI and mixed Java/C++ development can allow a Performance Engineer to identify bottlenecks and implement performance enhancements by integrating native code where needed.

See salaries and explore the career path for Performance Engineer

Software Engineer

A Software Engineer designs, develops, and tests software applications. This course may be useful because it dives into the Java Native Interface, teaching you how to write Java code that incorporates native methods and how to bundle it with a C++ dynamic library. As a Software Engineer, understanding how to integrate Java with C++ can be crucial, especially when optimizing performance or interfacing with existing C++ libraries. This course provides hands-on experience with mixed Java and C++ development, covering essential concepts and advanced features of JNI like accessing and setting fields of Java classes in C++, which could enhance your skills as a Software Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Systems Programmer

A Systems Programmer specializes in low-level software development, often working on operating systems, device drivers, or embedded systems. As a systems programmer, you may find that this course helps build a foundation by understanding how to use Java Native Interface to work with native resources and link against C++ libraries, as these tasks often require a deep understanding of system-level interactions. The course details C++ programming and linking against existing native libraries, aligning well with the responsibilities of a Systems Programmer. Knowledge of JNI, as detailed in this course, can be invaluable for integrating Java applications with system-level components, such as file stream management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Programmer

Software Architect

A Software Architect makes high-level design choices and dictates technical standards, including software coding standards, tools, and platforms. This course may be useful because it provides insights into integrating Java with C++, which is a common architectural consideration when designing complex systems that require both high-level abstraction and low-level performance. Architects can use the knowledge from this course to make informed decisions about using JNI to bridge Java and C++ components. The course's details on mixed Java/C++ development, along with advanced JNI features, can enhance a Software Architect's ability to design robust and efficient systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Architect

Technical Lead

A Technical Lead manages a team of developers and guides the technical direction of a project. This course may be useful because it provides a strong understanding of Java Native Interface, which can be invaluable when leading projects that involve integrating Java with C++. The course provides information about mixed Java/C++ development, covering essential concepts and advanced features such as accessing and setting fields of Java classes in C++. Technical Leads can use this knowledge to mentor their team and make informed decisions about using JNI in their projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Lead

Application Developer

An Application Developer designs and builds applications for various platforms, such as desktop, web, or mobile. This course directly addresses the challenge of integrating Java with C++, which may be useful in scenarios where performance-critical components are implemented in C++ and need to be accessed from Java applications. Application developers often need to optimize application performance. The course covers how to bundle Java code with C++ dynamic libraries and link against existing native libraries. Understanding JNI and mixed Java/C++ development can be a significant advantage for an Application Developer.

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Embedded Systems Engineer

An Embedded Systems Engineer designs, develops, and tests software for embedded systems, often involving close interaction with hardware. This course may be useful as it covers mixed Java and C++ development, which is relevant for embedded systems work where Java is used for the application layer and C++ for low-level hardware interaction. The course's focus on linking against existing native libraries and working with native resources can be particularly beneficial. Knowing how to use Java Native Interface, as taught in this course, can allow Engineers to bridge gaps between Java-based applications and hardware interfaces.

See salaries and explore the career path for Embedded Systems Engineer

Software Consultant

A Software Consultant advises clients on technology solutions and helps them implement software projects. This course may be useful because it provides expertise in Java Native Interface. Often, Software Consultants need to provide guidance on how to integrate Java with C++ for performance optimization or to leverage existing C++ libraries. The course covers bundling Java code with C++ dynamic libraries and linking against existing native libraries, providing consultants with the knowledge to help clients make informed decisions.

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Firmware Engineer

A Firmware Engineer develops low-level software that controls hardware devices. This course may be useful because it provides knowledge of mixed Java and C++ development. Often, firmware projects involve integrating Java-based applications with low-level hardware interfaces implemented in C++. The course's coverage of linking against existing native libraries and managing native resources can be particularly relevant for that engineer. Understanding JNI, as covered in this course, allows Firmware Engineers to create efficient bridges between Java-based control applications and hardware-specific code.

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Game Developer

A Game Developer creates video games for various platforms. This course may be useful as it delves into the intricacies of the Java Native Interface. JNI is most often used to integrate Java code with C++, a common practice in game development where performance-critical components are often implemented in C++ for efficiency. This integration empowers Game Developers to create high-performance games by leveraging the strengths of both languages, potentially allowing developers to create more immersive and responsive gaming experiences.

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Reverse Engineer

A Reverse Engineer analyzes software to understand its functionality, often without access to the source code. Skills taught in this course may prove helpful for analyzing Java applications that use native methods implemented in C++. Understanding how JNI works and how Java code interacts with C++ dynamic libraries can provide valuable insights into the inner workings of such applications. The course's coverage of mixed Java/C++ development and the structure of JNI helps Reverse Engineers decipher how Java and C++ components interact, potentially uncovering vulnerabilities or understanding proprietary algorithms.

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Compiler Developer

A Compiler Developer works on creating and optimizing compilers, which translate high-level code into machine code. This course may be useful. Compiler Developers can benefit from the course's detailed exploration of Java Native Interface, particularly its coverage of JNI types, data structures, and functions since compilers must effectively manage the interactions between Java and native code. This practical knowledge can assist Compiler Developers in creating optimized and efficient compilers that effectively handle JNI, bridging the gap between Java and native code seamlessly to improve the performance of compiled applications.

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Security Engineer

A Security Engineer works to protect computer systems and networks from threats, often looking for vulnerabilities in code. This course may be useful as it explores the Java Native Interface. Knowing how Java code interacts with native C++ libraries through JNI is invaluable for identifying potential security flaws. The course helps enhance the Security Engineer's ability to assess the security implications of JNI usage and develop strategies to mitigate risks associated with native code integration.

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Data Scientist

A Data Scientist analyzes large datasets to extract insights and develop predictive models. As a Data Scientist, one might find this course helpful when dealing with Java-based data processing frameworks that need to interact with high-performance C++ libraries for tasks such as numerical computation or machine learning. By understanding how to use Java Native Interface, a Data Scientist can enhance the performance of data processing pipelines, enabling them to work with larger datasets and more complex models. The course provides insights into mixed Java/C++ development.

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Database Administrator

A Database Administrator is responsible for managing and maintaining databases, ensuring performance and data integrity. A Database Administrator may find that this course helps them appreciate Java's role in database interactions, allowing them to understand how applications use JNI (Java Native Interface) to connect to databases. A DBA can understand how Java applications interact with native libraries. Such skills are useful for optimizing Java-based database applications.

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Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Java Native Interface (JNI) in depth.

C++ Primer

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Provides a comprehensive introduction to C++ programming. It is particularly helpful for understanding the C++ side of JNI development. It covers the core language features, standard library, and best practices for writing efficient and maintainable C++ code. It is commonly used as a textbook at academic institutions.

C++ Primer

Paperback

Effective Java (3rd Edition)

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Provides invaluable insights into Java best practices. It is particularly helpful for understanding how to design robust and maintainable Java code that interacts effectively with native libraries through JNI. While not directly about JNI, it strengthens the Java foundation necessary for successful JNI development. It is commonly used as a textbook at academic institutions.

Effective Java (3rd Edition)

Paperback

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Effective Java (3rd Edition)

Kindle Edition

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Java Native Interface (JNI) in depth

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