JEP 290: Java Packaging Tool (jpackage) for Easy Application Distribution

JEP 290 refers to the Java Enhancement Proposal (JEP) that focuses on enhancing the Java language by introducing a new packaging tool, called 'jpackage'. JEP 290 was proposed to address the need for a standard and easy-to-use tool for packaging self-contained Java applications.

The main objective of JEP 290 is to provide a simple and efficient way to package Java applications, including their dependencies and runtime environment, into platform-specific packages such as MSI (Windows), DMG (macOS), and DEB/RPM (Linux). This packaging tool aims to make it easier for developers to distribute and deploy Java applications to end-users, without requiring them to have a pre-installed Java runtime environment.

By providing a standard packaging tool, JEP 290 aims to simplify the process of creating, distributing, and installing Java applications, making it more user-friendly and reducing the effort required for deployment. This JEP also takes into consideration the need for cross-platform compatibility and ensures that the packaged applications can run on different operating systems without any additional configuration.

JEP 290 was completed and released with the JDK 14 update, which means that developers can now take advantage of the 'jpackage' tool to package their Java applications. This enhancement allows for a more seamless and user-friendly distribution of Java applications, making it easier for developers to reach a wider audience.