michelle.devereux@Ireland 2001-01-18
A request from IBM on a specification clarification for JAR file layout:

A recent problem report from a customer has raised a query concerning the
specification for the layout of JAR files.  I would like to request a
clarification of the specification, please.

The specification for the JAR file format does not explicitly state any
ordering regarding the files contained in a JAR file.  However, the
reference code appears to assume that the MANIFEST file, if present, must
be at the start of the JAR file and will not work correctly if the manifest
file appears later in the JAR file.  The clarification we would like should
answer the following question:

"In a JAR file which contains a manifest file, does the manifest file have
to appear at the beginning of the JAR file, or can the manifest file occupy
any location in the JAR file?"

The manifest format is well specified; its location in the zip
file isn't specified. A specification clarification required.