Professional Jini

Jini is a networking protocol from Sun that sits on top of Java. It allows devices to interact together without having to worry about drivers, different operating systems or complicated cabling. Devices connect to a network and offer services to other devices. A huge range of devices have the potential to be connected to networks using Jini; anything from computers and printers to televisions and air-conditioners. The idea is to allow devices to interact simply with each other, e.g. your repair-service network can connect directly to your broken refrigerator via the telephone to diagnose the fault.

JavaSpaces is a related technology, built to show a practical application of Jini. A JavaSpace is a really simple interface which allows remote systems to collaborate via what is essentially a notice board. Java programs place objects, examine objects, or take objects away from this board. They can also ask to be notified when the object they're looking for appears on the board. As an example, a word-processor application could place a fax job on the notice board, which a fax application would find and perform as and when it was free. The two applications don't need to know anything about each other's location, only what objects they handle.

Professional Jini Programming presents in one single volume everything that an advanced Java programmer will need to start designing and programming with Jini or JavaSpaces technology.