JAR vs. WAR — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Published on December 24, 2023
AR is a Java Archive file for bundling Java classes, while WAR is a Web Application Archive for deploying web applications.
Difference Between JAR and WAR
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
JAR is an acronym that stands for Java Archive. It's a package file format typically used to aggregate many Java class files and associated metadata and resources into one file. WAR, on the other hand, stands for Web Application Archive. It's used specifically for deploying Java web applications.
The JAR format is versatile. It can contain anything that can be serialized into bytes, including Java class files, audio files, image files, etc. WAR files, meanwhile, contain JSP, HTML, JavaScript, and other files necessary for the development of web applications.
When using tools like Maven or Gradle, JAR is the default packaging. This is because these tools consider Java class files as the primary content. On the contrary, for web applications, WAR is the default packaging because it wraps up all elements crucial for a web app.
Developers typically employ JAR files as libraries to be included in other projects. This helps in reusing the same code across different projects without rewriting. In contrast, WAR files are usually not used as libraries. They are deployed on servers like Tomcat or Jetty to run web applications.
Lastly, JAR files are executed with the command java -jar .jar. They work with the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) to run applications. WAR files, however, aren't directly executed. They are deployed in servlet containers or application servers which handle their execution.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Java Archive.
Web Application Archive.
Contents
Java classes, metadata, resources.
JSP, HTML, JavaScript, other web resources.
Usage
Libraries or standalone applications.
Deploying web applications on servers.
Execution/Deployment
Executed with Java Runtime Environment.
Deployed on servlet containers/application servers.
Packaging in Tools
Default in Maven/Gradle for Java classes.
Default for web applications.
Compare with Definitions
JAR
The sound of a minor shock or collision.
The JAR of the door slamming echoed throughout the house.
WAR
A conflict between nations or groups.
The two countries were on the brink of WAR.
JAR
A measure of electrical capacity.
This component has a JAR of 50 microfarads.
WAR
A struggle or competition between opposing forces or for a particular end.
A WAR of words erupted on social media.
JAR
A cylindrical glass or earthenware vessel with a wide mouth and usually no handles.
WAR
A state of open, armed, often prolonged conflict carried on between nations, states, or parties.
JAR
The amount that a jar can hold.
WAR
The period of such conflict.
JAR
Chiefly British A glass of beer.
WAR
The techniques and procedures of war; military science.
JAR
A jolt; a shock.
WAR
A condition of active antagonism or contention
A war of words.
A price war.
JAR
To put into a jar.
WAR
A concerted effort or campaign to combat or put an end to something considered injurious
The war against acid rain.
JAR
To cause shaking or vibrations
The ride over the old road was jarring.
WAR
To wage or carry on warfare.
JAR
To shake or vibrate from an impact or impacts
"The gallery jarred with a quick, heavy tramp" (Robert Louis Stevenson).
WAR
To be in a state of hostility or rivalry; contend.
JAR
To be disturbing or irritating; grate
The incessant talking jarred on my nerves.
WAR
(uncountable) Organized, large-scale, armed conflict between countries or between national, ethnic, or other sizeable groups, usually but not always involving active engagement of military forces.
JAR
To be out of harmony; clash or conflict
The curtains jar with the rest of the room.
WAR
(countable) A particular conflict of this kind.
JAR
To cause to shake or vibrate from impact
The ride on the donkey jarred my bones.
WAR
Protracted armed conflict against irregular forces, particularly groups considered terrorists.
JAR
To startle or unsettle; shock
The alarm jarred him out of sleep.
WAR
Protracted conflict, particularly
JAR
(originally) An earthenware container, either with two or no handles, for holding oil, water, wine, etc., or used for burial.
WAR
Campaigns against various social problems.
JAR
A small, approximately cylindrical container, normally made of clay or glass, for holding fruit, preserves, etc., or for ornamental purposes.
WAR
(business) A protracted instance of fierce competition in trade.
JAR
A jar and its contents; as much as fills such a container; a jarful.
WAR
(crime) A prolonged conflict between two groups of organized criminals, usually over organizational or territorial control.
JAR
A pint glass
WAR
(Internet) An argument between two or more people with opposing opinions on a topic or issue.
Flame war... edit war...
JAR
A glass of beer or cider, served by the pint.
WAR
An assembly of weapons; instruments of war.
JAR
(countable) A clashing or discordant set of sounds, particularly with a quivering or vibrating quality.
WAR
(obsolete) Armed forces.
JAR
A quivering or vibrating movement or sensation resulting from something being shaken or struck.
WAR
Any of a family of card games where all cards are dealt at the beginning of play and players attempt to capture them all, typically involving no skill and only serving to kill time.
JAR
A sense of alarm or dismay.
WAR
(intransitive) To engage in conflict (may be followed by "with" to specify the foe).
JAR
(countable) The effect of something contradictory or discordant; a clash.
WAR
(transitive) To carry on, as a contest; to wage.
JAR
A disagreement, a dispute, a quarrel; (uncountable) contention, discord; quarrelling.
WAR
Ware; aware.
JAR
(transitive) To preserve (food) in a jar.
WAR
A contest between nations or states, carried on by force, whether for defence, for revenging insults and redressing wrongs, for the extension of commerce, for the acquisition of territory, for obtaining and establishing the superiority and dominion of one over the other, or for any other purpose; armed conflict of sovereign powers; declared and open hostilities.
Men will ever distinguish war from mere bloodshed.
JAR
(transitive) To knock, shake, or strike sharply, especially causing a quivering or vibrating movement.
He hit it with a hammer, hoping he could jar it loose.
WAR
A condition of belligerency to be maintained by physical force. In this sense, levying war against the sovereign authority is treason.
JAR
(transitive) To harm or injure by such action.
WAR
Instruments of war.
His complement of stores, and total war.
JAR
To shock or surprise.
I think the accident jarred him, as he hasn’t got back in a car since.
WAR
Forces; army.
On their embattled ranks the waves return,And overwhelm their war.
JAR
To act in disagreement or opposition, to clash, to be at odds with; to interfere; to dispute, to quarrel.
WAR
The profession of arms; the art of war.
Thou art but a youth, and he is a man of war from his youth.
JAR
(ambitransitive) To (cause something to) give forth a rudely tremulous or quivering sound; to (cause something to) sound discordantly or harshly.
The clashing notes jarred on my ears.
WAR
A state of opposition or contest; an act of opposition; an inimical contest, act, or action; enmity; hostility.
The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart.
JAR
(intransitive) To quiver or vibrate due to being shaken or struck.
WAR
To make war; to invade or attack a state or nation with force of arms; to carry on hostilities; to be in a state by violence.
Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up toward Jerusalem to war against it.
Why should I war without the walls of Troy?
Our countrymen were warring on that day!
JAR
Of the appearance, form, style, etc., of people and things: to look strangely different; to stand out awkwardly from its surroundings; to be incongruent.
WAR
To contend; to strive violently; to fight.
JAR
A turn.
WAR
To make war upon; to fight.
To war the Scot, and borders to defend.
JAR
A deep, broad-mouthed vessel of earthenware or glass, for holding fruit, preserves, etc., or for ornamental purposes; as, a jar of honey; a rose jar.
WAR
To carry on, as a contest; to wage.
That thou . . . mightest war a good warfare.
JAR
The measure of what is contained in a jar; as, a jar of oil; a jar of preserves.
WAR
The waging of armed conflict against an enemy;
Thousands of people were killed in the war
JAR
A rattling, tremulous vibration or shock; a shake; a harsh sound; a discord; as, the jar of a train; the jar of harsh sounds.
WAR
A legal state created by a declaration of war and ended by official declaration during which the international rules of war apply;
War was declared in November but actual fighting did not begin until the following spring
JAR
Clash of interest or opinions; collision; discord; debate; slight disagreement.
And yet his peace is but continual jar.
Cease, cease these jars, and rest your minds in peace.
WAR
An active struggle between competing entities;
A price war
A war of wits
Diplomatic warfare
JAR
A regular vibration, as of a pendulum.
I love thee not a jar of the clock.
WAR
A concerted campaign to end something that is injurious;
The war on poverty
The war against crime
JAR
In deep well boring, a device resembling two long chain links, for connecting a percussion drill to the rod or rope which works it, so that the drill is driven down by impact and is jerked loose when jammed.
WAR
Make or wage war
JAR
To give forth a rudely quivering or tremulous sound; to sound harshly or discordantly; as, the notes jarred on my ears.
When such strings jar, what hope of harmony ?
A string may jar in the best master's hand.
WAR
Acronym for Web Application Archive in Java.
Developers deploy WAR files on Tomcat.
JAR
To act in opposition or disagreement; to clash; to interfere; to quarrel; to dispute.
When those renowned noble peers GreeceThrough stubborn pride among themselves did jar.
For orders and degreesJar not with liberty, but well consist.
WAR
Acronym for Wins Above Replacement, a statistic in baseball.
His WAR indicates he's a valuable player.
JAR
To cause a short, tremulous motion of, to cause to tremble, as by a sudden shock or blow; to shake; to shock; as, to jar the earth; to jar one's faith.
WAR
To engage in active conflict or competition.
They WARred over the last piece of cake.
JAR
To tick; to beat; to mark or tell off.
My thoughts are minutes, and with sighs they jarTheir watches on unto mine eyes.
JAR
A vessel (usually cylindrical) with a wide mouth and without handles
JAR
The quantity contained in a jar;
He drank a jar of beer
JAR
A sudden impact;
The door closed with a jolt
JAR
Be incompatible; be or come into conflict;
These colors clash
JAR
Move or cause to move with a sudden jerky motion
JAR
Shock physically;
Georgia was shaken up in the Tech game
JAR
Affect in a disagreeable way;
This play jarred the audience
JAR
Place in a cylindrical vessel;
Jar the jam
JAR
A cylindrical container with a wide mouth and lid.
She stored the jam in a JAR.
JAR
To annoy or irritate.
His loud chewing really JARs me.
JAR
To preserve food in a sealed container.
She decided to JAR the pickles for the winter.
Common Curiosities
Is a WAR file a type of JAR file?
Yes, a WAR (Web Application Archive) is a specialized type of JAR file used for deploying web applications.
What does JAR stand for in Java context?
JAR stands for Java Archive.
How do you execute a JAR file?
Using the command java -jar .jar.
Can I convert a JAR to WAR or vice versa?
Not directly. The contents and structure are different, but you can repackage the components as needed.
Is the file extension for Java Archive files .JAR?
Yes, the file extension for Java Archive files is .JAR.
Do JAR files only contain bytecode?
No, JAR files can contain resources, metadata, and more.
Are JAR and WAR related to Java technology only?
In the context of file formats, yes. However, both words have other meanings outside of Java.
Can JAR files contain images and sounds?
Yes, JAR files can contain any files that can be serialized into bytes, including images and sounds.
Can I use a WAR file as a library like a JAR file?
Typically, no. WAR files are meant for deploying web applications on servers.
What's the primary difference between JAR and WAR?
JAR is for bundling Java classes; WAR is for deploying web applications.
In what contexts other than Java does the term JAR apply?
JAR can refer to a cylindrical container or the process of preserving food.
How do you deploy a WAR file?
By placing it in the deployment directory of a servlet container or application server like Tomcat.
Can I open a JAR or WAR file to view its contents?
Yes, they can be opened with tools like WinRAR, 7-Zip, or any archive manager.
How is a WAR file structured?
It contains JSP, HTML, and other web files structured in a specific directory hierarchy.
Does WAR have meanings outside of the Java context?
Yes, WAR primarily denotes conflict or battle and can also refer to statistics in baseball.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
