The FFM API: OpenJDK Changed the Game for Native Interactions and #JavaOnRaspberryPi

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 07:00:02 +0000

If you’re working with Pi4J, you’re essentially using a Java library that bridges the gap between your Java application and the GPIO hardware on a Raspberry Pi. The beauty of Pi4J lies in how it hides the complexity of native library integration and the Java Native Interface (JNI). It lets you focus on building great applications rather than dealing with low-level system calls.

My involvement with Pi4J started around 2020 while writing the book “Getting Started with Java on the Raspberry Pi”. Despite years of contributing to the project, the deeper layers of Pi4J’s codebase still challenge me. Take a look at this snippet and tell me if you understand what’s going on:

Frank Delporte on JAVAPRO International

The FFM API: OpenJDK Changed the Game for Native Interactions and #JavaOnRaspberryPi