How to Use This User Guide

This User Guide is divided into two parts, reflecting the traditional distinction between the two ways of using the Wolfram Language with external programs. The first use is to extend the Wolfram Language environment by "installing" external programs so their functionality appears to be a built-in part of the Wolfram Language. This is similar to the "plug-in" concept supported by many popular applications and tools. The second use is to create programs that call on the Wolfram Language as a computational engine running in the background.

Extending the Wolfram Language environment by loading and calling Java classes is described in "Calling Java from the Wolfram Language". This part will appeal to the widest audience because it requires no special programming skills, meaning that you do not have to be a Java programmer to use the features it describes. If this is what you want to use J/Link for, read through "J/Link Basics" in the J/Link User Guide. You should be able to start using J/Link right after this. You should also at least take a look at "Advanced Topics" in the J/Link User Guide. You can examine that section in more depth later, as your familiarity with J/Link grows. "Example Programs" works through some complete examples of useful programs.

"Writing Java Programs That Use the Wolfram Language" describes how to write Java programs that use the Wolfram Language for computations. This part documents J/Link as the Wolfram Symbolic Transfer Protocol (WSTP) developer's kit for Java. Some familiarity with WSTP is assumed. WSTP is documented in "WSTP and External Program Communication".

This User Guide uses the phrase "J/Link programming" to describe the creation of Wolfram Language programs that call Java, as well as Java programs that use the Wolfram Language for computations. It should be clear from the context which of these is meant.