Java Native Interface

Java applications can call functions from external libraries.

• Libraries can be implemented in Java, and packaged as classes.

• Libraries can also be implemented in any other language.

  • Providing that an interface allows serialization and name resolution.

Java Native Interface allows the definition of Java methods, whose implementation is present in native code.

• When a method is invoked, the objects are serialized, the respective native symbol is loaded and the code is executed.

• There is a penalty due to serialization and a performance boost due to native code execution.

Standard mechanism for Java (not specific for Android).