An Introduction to JNI using a Bottom Up Approach: Prologue

The goal of this article is to allow Java developers to include C++ code in their programs. Related Pages:

• www3.ntu.edu.sg
• stackoverflow.com
• Your First C++ to List All Open Windows: Part I

This tutorial is written such that:

1. Each individual step represents a technology layer:
   • Step 1: C++ Low Level Function
   • Step 2: C++ Main Function
   • Step 3: C Main Function
   • Step 4: Java Main Function
2. Each individual step is skippable:
   • This means you can start from any step and work your way forward, with some slight modifications.
   • Developers can decide to follow the steps backwards and use a top down approach (by commenting out access to the lower technology layer).
   • When developing new code, developers can decide not to include bottom technology layers (for instance, starting with Step 3 will mean you have no C++ code and are just using Java to run a C Program).
3. Each individual step is testable:
   • New developers have less variables involved when stuff doesn't work.
   • Developers get immediate feedback regarding whether they are on the right track.
   • Developers can check a technology layer along with lower technology layers (by uncommmenting the main function are recompiling).
   • When debugging code, developers can decide not to include top technology layers (for instance, running the C main function will mean you are not running the Java code and are just checking the functionality of the C and C++ code).

Prerequisites:

• You need a Java compiler for Windows (ie, see Getting Started with Java's Hello World: Part I).
• You need a C++ compiler for Windows (ie, download TDM-GCC at tdm-gcc.tdragon.net).
• Choose a working directory for the C++/C code (ie, preferrably in your project's resources folder, "C:\Users\Scott\workspace\myrepo\my-app\src\main\resources\dlls").

Continued at An Introduction to JNI using a Bottom Up Approach: Step 1.

This post was reposted from http://scottizu.wordpress.com/2013/08/21/an-introduction-to-jni-using-a-bottom-up-approach-introduction/, originally written on August 21st, 2013.