Menu
Home
People
Places
Arts
History
Plants & Animals
Science
Life & Culture
Technology
Reference.org
Java Platform Module System
open-in-new
<p>The Java Platform Module System specifies a distribution format for collections of <a href="/facts/Java_/9ScgFyAL">Java</a> code and associated resources. It also specifies a repository for storing these collections, or <i><a href="/facts/Modular_programming/sNoqKvRD">modules</a></i>, and identifies how they can be discovered, loaded and checked for integrity. It includes features such as namespaces with the aim of fixing some of the shortcomings in the existing <a href="/facts/JAR_(file_format)/LcIBCWXT">JAR</a> format, especially the <a href="/facts/Java_class_loader/ItwTAYw4">JAR Hell</a>, which can lead to issues such as classpath and class loading problems. </p><p>The Java Module System was initially being developed under the <a href="/facts/Java_Community_Process/LFQVV4Ik">Java Community Process</a> as JSR 277 and was scheduled to be released with Java 7. </p><p>JSR 277 later was put on hold and Project Jigsaw was created to modularize the JDK. This JSR was superseded by JSR 376 (Java Platform Module System). </p><p>Project Jigsaw was originally intended for <a href="/facts/Java_7/Br6eHSP8">Java 7</a> (2011) but was deferred to <a href="/facts/Java_8/Br6eHSP8">Java 8</a> (2014) as part of Plan B, and again deferred to a <a href="/facts/Java_9/Br6eHSP8">Java 9</a> release in 2017. Java 9 including the Java Module System was released on September 21, 2017. </p>