Java Native Interface
Java Native Interface (JNI) is a programming framework that enables Java code running in a Java Virtual Machine (JVM) to call and be called by native applications and libraries written in other languages such as C, C++, and assembly. It provides a standard interface for integrating platform-specific native code with Java applications, allowing developers to leverage existing native libraries or optimize performance-critical sections. JNI is essential for bridging Java applications with system-level functionality or legacy codebases.
Developers should learn JNI when they need to integrate Java applications with native libraries for tasks like accessing hardware-specific features, using legacy C/C++ code, or optimizing performance-critical operations that Java cannot handle efficiently. It is particularly useful in scenarios such as developing cross-platform applications with native components, interfacing with operating system APIs, or incorporating high-performance computing libraries into Java projects. However, JNI should be used judiciously due to its complexity and potential for introducing platform dependencies and memory management issues.