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'''Java AWT Native Interface''' ('''JAWT''') is an interface for the [[Java (programming language)|Java programming language]] that enables [[Rendering (computer graphics)|rendering]] [[library (computer science)|libraries]] compiled to [[native code]] to draw directly to a Java [[Abstract Window Toolkit]] (AWT) {{Javadoc:SE|java/awt|Canvas|module=java.desktop}} [[object (computer science)|object]] drawing surface.

The [[Java Native Interface]] (JNI) allows developers to add platform-dependent functionality to [[Java (programming language)|Java]] [[application software|applications]]. The JNI enables developers to add time-critical operations like [[Mathematics|mathematical]] calculations and [[3D rendering]]. 

Previously, native 3D rendering was challenging because the native code did not have access to the graphic context. The AWT Native Interface is designed to give developers access to an AWT <code>Canvas</code> for direct drawing with native code. In fact, the [[Java 3D]] API extension to the standard [[Java SE]] [[JDK]] relies heavily on the AWT Native Interface to render 3D objects in Java. 

The AWT Native Interface is very similar to the JNI, and the steps are the same as those of the JNI. See the [[Java Native Interface]] article for an explanation of the JNI techniques employed by the AWT Native Interface. The AWT Native Interface was added to the [[Java platform]] with the [[Java Platform, Standard Edition|J2SE]] 1.3 ("Kestrel") version.

== Native painting ==
One can paint as if it is a native application. In [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], the JVM will pass a HWND and other window information to the native application so that the application will "know" where to draw. It could use GDI to draw a Rectangle. The window information the native side needs will be in a <code>JAWT_Win32DrawingSurfaceInfo</code> structure (depending on the [[operating system]]) which can be retrieved with this line: {{code|lang=c|1=dsi_win = (JAWT_Win32DrawingSurfaceInfo*)dsi->platformInfo;}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links==
{{Portal|Computer programming}}
{{Wikibooks|Java Swings/AWT}}
*[https://docs.oracle.com/javase/8/docs/technotes/guides/awt/AWT_Native_Interface.html The AWT Native Interface]
*[https://www.infoworld.com/article/2077589/java-tip-86--support-native-rendering-in-jdk-1-3.html Support native rendering in JDK 1.3]

{{Java desktop}}

[[Category:Java platform|AWT Native Interface]]