< file format , filename extension > (jar) A compressed archive file containing Java class files, filename extension: ".jar". The Java Development Kit contains a tool called "jar" for creating .jar files, similar to the standard Unix tar command. As well as archiving and compressing the Java class files, it also inserts a "manifest" file which can contain information about the class files, such as a digital signature . Combining class files into a single archive file makes it possible to download them in a single HTTP transaction. This, and the compression , speeds up execution of Java programs delivered via the (2001">Internet}.
(2001 -02-03)