In order to call Java from C++, can I use a .jar file directly in C++?
Depends what you mean by "use". Try to be more specific about what you
want to do.
While your C++ code can probably read and extract classes found in the
jar file, it will not be able to call their methods "directly" if
that's what you mean.
JNI requires a JVM, regardless of whether you are calling from Java to
C++ or C++ to java. JNI also provides mechanisms for starting a JVM if
one isn't already running.
Simply make sure the JVM you start (or a classloader you initialize)
has the jar in its classpath. It will take care of classloading for
you, and you will be able to use those classes from your C++ code
transparently.
/gordon
