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Java Packaging Formats

Java Packaging Formats

Let’s learn about different Java packaging formats in this tutorials. Java applications, whether small command-line tools or large enterprise systems, often consist of multiple components such as classes, interfaces, libraries, resources, and configuration files. To distribute and deploy these applications efficiently, Java uses specific packaging formats. These formats bundle all the necessary files into a single compressed file, making it easier to share, deploy, and run Java applications across different environments.

Common Java Packaging Formats

Some common Java Packaging formats are as follows:

  • JAR
  • WAR
  • EAR

 

Java Packaging Formats

JAR – Java ARchive

JAR stands for Java ARchive. It is the most basic packaging format used to bundle Java classes, libraries, and metadata into a single file. JAR files are mainly used to package standalone Java applications or reusable libraries. You can execute a JAR file if it contains a manifest file that defines the entry point (main class).

Usage: Used for distributing standalone Java applications or utility libraries.

Example: myapp.jar

WAR – Web Application ARchive

WAR stands for Web Application ARchive. It is used to package web applications that run on Java web servers like Apache Tomcat or Jetty. A WAR file contains servlets, JSP files, HTML, JavaScript, CSS, and other resources along with deployment descriptors like web.xml.

Usage: Used for deploying Java web applications.

Example: mywebapp.war

EAR – Enterprise Application ARchive

EAR stands for Enterprise Application ARchive. It is used in Java EE (Enterprise Edition) to bundle multiple modules like EJBs (Enterprise JavaBeans), web modules (WAR), and supporting libraries (JAR) into one archive. EAR files are deployed to application servers like IBM WebSphere, JBoss, or Oracle WebLogic.

Usage: Used for deploying complex enterprise-level applications.

Example: myenterpriseapp.ear

Summary

File Extension Full Form Usage Example
.jar Java ARchive Used for packaging standalone applications or libraries myapp.jar
.war Web Application ARchive Used for deploying Java web applications mywebapp.war
.ear Enterprise Application ARchive Used for deploying enterprise-level Java applications myenterpriseapp.ear

 

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