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JNDI Overview

The JavaTM Naming and Directory InterfaceTM (JNDI) is an API specified in the Java programming language. It provides naming and directory functionality to applications written in the Java programming language. The JNDI is defined to be independent of any specific directory service implementation. Thus, a variety of directories--new, emerging, and already deployed ones--can be accessed in a common way.

Architecture

The JNDI architecture consists of an API (Application Programming Interface) and an SPI (Service Provider Interface). Java applications use the JNDI API to access a variety of naming and directory services. The JNDI SPI enables a variety of naming and directory services to be plugged in transparently, allowing the Java application using the JNDI API to access their services.

Packaging

The JNDI is a Java Standard Extension. It extends the platform to provide naming and directory functionality. In order to use the JNDI, you must first download the JNDI classes and one or more service providers.

The JNDI is divided into three packages:


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