Downloading and installing Java packages

Use this information to download, install, and use Java™ packages more effectively on the IBM® i platform.

Packages with graphical user interfaces

Java programs used with graphical user interface (GUI) require the use of a presentation device with graphical display capabilities. For example, you can use a personal computer, technical workstation, or network computer. You can use Native Abstract Windowing Toolkit (NAWT) to provide your Java applications and servlets with the full capability of the Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition (J2SE) Abstract Windowing Toolkit (AWT) graphics functions. For more information, see Native Abstract Windowing Toolkit (NAWT).

Case sensitivity and integrated file system

Integrated file system provides file systems, which are both case-sensitive and those that are not with regard to file names. QOpenSys is an example of a case-sensitive file system within the integrated file system. Root, '/', is an example of a case-insensitive file system. For more information, see the Integrated file system topic.

Even though a JAR or class may be located in a file system which is not case-sensitive, Java is still a case-sensitive language. While wrklnk '/home/Hello.class' and wrklnk '/home/hello.class' produce the same results, JAVA CLASS(Hello) and JAVA CLASS(hello) are calling different classes.

ZIP file handling

ZIP files, like JAR files, contain a set of Java classes. ZIP files are treated the same way as JAR files.

Java extensions framework

In J2SE, extensions are packages of Java classes that you can use to extend the functionality of the core platform. An extension or application is packaged in one or more JAR files. The extension mechanism allows the Java virtual machine to use the extension classes in the same way that the virtual machine uses the system classes. The extension mechanism also provides a way for you to retrieve extensions from specified URLs when they are not already installed in the J2SE or Java 2 Runtime Environment, Standard Edition.

See Installing Java extensions for information about installing extensions.