Can I Bundle Native and JNI Libraries in a Single JAR for Simplified Distribution?

Bundling Native and JNI Libraries in a Single JAR

Can I Bundle Everything in One JAR and Redistribute It?

Yes, it is possible to create a single JAR file containing all dependencies, including native JNI libraries for multiple platforms. However, it may have portability implications.

Process:

1. Include the native JNI libraries in the JAR file: Place them at platform-specific locations within the JAR, e.g., NATIVE/${os.arch}/${os.name}/libname.lib.

2. Code Implementation:

   • Calculate os.arch and os.name during class initialization.
   • Use Class.getResource(String) to find the library within the JAR.
   • If the library exists, extract it to a temporary file and load it with System.load(File).

Example Implementation:

The jzmq package (Java bindings of ZeroMQ) has implemented this solution. The code can be found here, providing a hybrid approach that reverts to conventional library loading if embedded library loading fails.

Benefits:

• Simplified Distribution: Avoids the need for users to install JNI libraries on their systems.

Considerations:

• Portability: Support for all platforms depends on the inclusion of specific libraries in the JAR file.
• Maintenance: Keeping the JAR updated with the latest native dependencies may require manual updates.

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