What is JAF? What is its purpose?

java activation
Manoj picture Manoj · Jun 18, 2010 · Viewed 20.3k times · Source

I am unable to understand the purpose of JAF (Java Activation Framework). Please explain it to me in simple terms, or point me towards information.

The Java Mail API is using JAF. It looks like the JAF is used to find the supporting data types of an object. But I couldn't understand.

Please teach me!

Answer

cletus picture cletus · Jun 18, 2010

The JavaBeans Activation Framework is a library for abstracting the operating system specific bindings/mappings between file types and applications that deal with them. This can be based on MIME types and/or file extensions. It's really nothing more than that.

Open up Windows explorer and right click on a file. Various actions may be there (eg Open, Edit, Play). What actions are associated with the file is associated with the file extension on Windows. JAF is a portable version of that. It's mainly intended for desktop applications to be able to interact with whatever programs can be used with files on that computer.

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