JavaArchivdateien

Java Archivdateien, commonly known as JAR files, are archive files used to aggregate many Java class files, associated metadata, and resources into a single file. They are built on the ZIP file format and can be used to package applications, libraries, or other Java-related content. JAR files are fundamental to Java's platform-independent nature, allowing applications to be distributed and run easily across different systems. They enable modularity and efficient distribution of code and resources.

A JAR file contains a manifest file, META-INF/MANIFEST.MF, which provides metadata about the archive. This manifest can specify the main class of an executable JAR, the version of the packaged Java class files, and other information. When a JAR file is marked as executable, the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) can launch it directly by looking for the main class specified in the manifest. Developers use the `jar` command-line tool, included with the Java Development Kit (JDK), to create, extract, and manage JAR files. This tool simplifies the process of bundling and unbundling Java code and resources.