The Extension Mechanism - Java Tutorial 5.0 英文版

The Java^TM Tutorial

Start of Tutorial

Search
Feedback Form

Trail: The Extension Mechanism

by Alan Sommerer

The extension mechanism is a new feature in the Java^TM 1.2 platform. The extension mechanism provides a standard, scalable way to make custom APIs available to all applications running on the Java platform.

Extensions are groups of packages and classes that augment the Java platform through the extension mechanism. The extension mechanism enables the runtime environment to find and load extension classes without the extension classes having to be named on the class path. In that respect, extension classes are similar to the Java platform's core classes. That's also where extensions get their name -- they, in effect, extend the platform's core API.

This figure has been reduced to fit on the page.
Click the image to view it at its natural size.

As the diagram indicates, extensions act as "add-on" modules to the Java platform. Their classes and public APIs are automatically available to any applications running on the platform.

The extension mechanism also provides a means for extension classes to be downloaded from remote locations for use by applets.

Extensions are bundled as Java Archive (JAR) files, and this trail assumes that you are familiar with the JAR file format. If you're not up to speed on JAR files, you might want to review some JAR-file documentation before proceeding with the lessons in this trail:

The JAR File Format lesson in this tutorial.
The JAR Guide in the JDK^TM documentation.

This trail has two lessons:

Creating and Using Extensions shows you what you need to do to add an extension to your Java platform and how applets can benefit from the extension mechanism by downloading remote extension classes.

Making Extensions Secure shows you how to control the security privileges and permissions that are granted to extensions on your platform. You'll see how to use the Java platform's security architecture if you're writing extensions classes of your own.

Additional Documentation

You can find further information about extensions in the The Java Extensions Mechanism

section of the JDK 1.2 documentation.

Start of Tutorial

Search
Feedback Form