Why do you need java web start?

Question

Java

Hello everyone
Plz tell me, why do I need java web start? (jnlp files)?
If I understand the technology correctly, then everything happens as follows:
1) the user clicks on the link with the jnlp file. 2) java web start application reads the received jnlp
(which in turn is an xml document describing where the jar file is located and where to look for the main method ) manifest, which specifies where the main class is stored). Why then the difficulties with jnlp, if you can immediately give a jar file using the link? In jnlp, it seems like there is more additional information (author software name, version, etc.), but all this can be put in a jar file thanks

Answer 1

Web start is a distribution mechanism for java applications. If you just give the user a link to a jar file, then he will download it and probably won't know what to do with it. And clicking on the link to the jnlp file will not download the application, it will launch it. And with a certain file configuration, it will also "install" the program into the system and create shortcuts to it in the right places. Moreover, the version installed in the system will be automatically updated to the current version if there is a connection with the server from which the application was installed.