The Java RFC Class Library allows you to choose between two types of middleware:

• CORBA
• Java Native Interface (JNI)

SAP provides two middleware implementations with the Java RFC Class Library (one of each of those two type):

You choose which of the middleware implementation you wish to use with the Java RFC Class Library.

Using the CORBA middleware implementation that uses IONA Technologies' Orbix allows you to distribute the RFC application across the network. This means that you can use it to program Java applets that make RFC calls to R/3.

The JNI middleware implementation does not allow you to distribute your RFC application to remote client computers. This means that you cannot use it to implement Java applets that make RFC calls.

On the other hand, the JNI middleware is easier to use, and it is more efficient to use if all the RFC components of your RFC application reside on the same computer.

This means that the JNI implementation is appropriate for creating Web server-side applications that make RFC calls to R/3.

For a more detailed explanation of the differences between the architecture of the Java RFC components when using each of these middleware implementations, see the following topics: