When should you prefer JNI basics and when should you avoid it?

Java Native Interface (JNI) provides a bridge between Java code and native applications or libraries written in other languages like C or C++. Here are some considerations for when to use JNI and when to avoid it:

When to Prefer JNI:

• Performance-Critical Applications: Use JNI when you need to optimize performance by accessing system-level resources or native libraries.
• Legacy Code Integration: If you have existing libraries or applications in C/C++ that you want to leverage, JNI can be an effective way to interface them with Java.
• Access to System Features: JNI is beneficial when you need features that are not directly available in Java, such as low-level memory management or specific operating system functionalities.

When to Avoid JNI:

• Portability Reasons: JNI can reduce the portability of your application since it relies on native code that may only run on specific platforms.
• Complexity: JNI adds complexity to your codebase, making it harder to maintain and debug. If possible, stick to pure Java libraries.
• Overhead: JNI can introduce performance overhead due to context switching between Java and native code, so only use it when really necessary.

Using JNI should be a well-considered decision, weighing the benefits against the drawbacks based on your particular use case.