JAR format: what to open on the computer or on the phone

The JAR format is familiar to many users firsthand. It is an archive file based on the JAVA programming language. However, even users who have met the JAR format in their work, than know it, do not always know. Let's try to fill this gap.

JAR file: what to open?

Since files of this type are initially created using the JAVA language, the most logical assumption for viewing or editing content will be the use of the appropriate platform.

But do not confuse this format with files for mobile systems. In order for the JAR file to become executable, in its structure it must contain metadata in the form of the embedded file MANIFEST.imf.

However, the object of this type itself is initially mapped to the Java Runtime Environment, so if it is installed on the computer, the file will open automatically. In particular, this applies to the Jarsigner tool from the Java SDK.

Mobile systems

In mobile systems, you can also find JAR files. Than open it on the phone? Yes, nothing to do is not necessary. These objects are application installers, however, as a rule, the installation is performed using an additional file of installer instructions in the JAD format.

When the installer starts, installation will be performed in an automatic mode according to the type of how such processes occur in computer systems (albeit without using the "Setup Wizard" or selecting the location for the application to be installed). If, for some reason, the JAVA environment is not supported by the phone or simply does not work, it is often possible to open the JAVA using the MidpX emulator.

JAR file: what to open on a computer?

With computer systems, the situation is even simpler. Not to mention the aforementioned development environment, you can use all the familiar tools.

So, before us is a file in JAR format. How to open it on a computer or laptop, you can understand, if you remember that this is actually an archive. In other words, any of today's well-known archivers will do. Quite simply, unpacking operations can be performed using programs like WinRAR, WinZIP, 7-Zip and the like.

Often, you can meet and narrow-based utilities that allow you to change the format of the archive, turning the file into an executable program in the form of an ordinary "executable". Among these, the most famous application is JAR2EXE Converter.

Finally, sometimes this format can contain information about the themes of the design or additions to some popular web browsers (Thunderbird, Mozilla Firefox, etc.). The theme is simply applied to the design, and the user does not see the opening of the file as such (only the appearance of the browser changes).