"Java Language Features - Extensible"
- Java provides the ability to call out to code that is written in other languages. This is a called a native method. Most commonly the only languages supported are C or C++. You might do this so that you could take advantage of code that you had already written in that language.
- The disadvantage to native methods is that they are not as portable as Java code is. You are relying on the language as well as the services you might use in the native method to be available on all the platforms you are going to deploy your application.
- Note Java applets may not use native methods.
- Class libraries are specifically designed reusable parts. These parts are meant to ease application development by providing the developer with a set of building blocks.
- An analogy might be "It's easier to build a house if you don't have to make your own bricks".
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