Java: The Difference between JAR, WAR, and EAR Files

JAR, WAR, and EAR files are ZIPped (a facts compression and archiving format) files that put to use the Java tool. These files be favored with varying uses. Here are brief descriptions of these files, longitudinally with some comparisons:

JAR Files

A JAR (lacking for Java Archive) file permits the mixture of several files into a individual one. Files with the ‘.jar' enlargement are utilized by software developers to class Java classes and various metadata. These likewise hold libraries and resource files, considered in the state of well as accessory files (such similar to property files).

Users can extract and appoint JAR files with Java Development Kit's (JDK) ‘have words' command. ZIP tools may also be used.

JAR files have optional show files. Entries within the manifest toothed prescribe the JAR file's application. A ‘main' class specification for a file class denotes the file as a detached or ‘stand-alone' program.

WAR Files

A WAR (or Web Application archive) files be able to comprise XML (eXtensible Markup Language) files, Java classes, similar to well as JavaServer pages for purposes of Internet exemplification. It is also employed to distinguish by a ~ libraries and Web pages which make up a Web application. Files with the ‘.war' extension contain the Web app by reason of use with servlet or JSP (JavaServer Page) containers. It has JSP, HTML (HyperText Markup Language), Javascript, and manifold files for creating the aforementioned Web apps.